One of the best parst of having a daughter is to watch her grow up everyday!  At 18...I am having so much fun watching the things she decides to wear everyday, how she does her hair and makeup!  She brings so much joy to my life. 
The worst part is having to someday have to say goodbye!  Oh when April began, so did the tears! I am starting to think more and more of how I am going to say goodbye to her on August 4th.  (well not goodbye--see ya later--but you know what I mean)!
One of the goals I had as Lindsey's Mother was to train her to fulfill her purpose in GOD.  With that...there comes a beginning and an ending.  That is called "marriage". Well I dont look as it as beginning and ending---I choose to look at it as---the promises of a bright future--even when she meets the challenges. 
You have heard April showers bring May flowers....well my tears have fallen and perhap they water her soil that produces this unique flower; her own color, her own bloom, and her unique beauty. Perhaps they have watered her soil with the sweat of her brow and tears of her own. There are many devoted caretakers that have been involved, in the growth of this delicate flowers, who do whatever is necessary to complete the work. This flower will garden through the heat, the wind, the rain, the clouds and the storm...but she will not stop until it's time. August 4, 2012 will be "that time"!  That time to say "see you soon". But I will choose for the time to be filled with emotion and gratitude and a heart filled with lasting memories.

Lindsey, my sweet daughter of mine----"Bloom where you are planted." I love you, I will pray for you and above all...I will miss you!!

--Mom

Continuing my journey..........

Its May, already! Time is starting to fly!  Still lots of emotions for me but I am so proud of my sweet daughter. So excited that she will become a married woman very soon.  So thankful that she is doing things the right way.  It really helps me alot when I think about all that my daughter is doing to do the right thing and stay on the course to follow the LORD in everything she does.  God has promised me that when you raise a child in the ways of HIM...that they will never depart from that. 

Over the next upcoming weeks, there is so much planning and prepartions to do but most important we are going to spend some very precious quality time together.  Movies, shopping, spa days....

Wedding Shower is moving right along.  I am so excited for this day. Higgins Mom is really doing a great job with the everything.  I cant wait to see all the decorations!  So exciting. 

The wedding shower cake has been purchased.  That was super fun picking this out with my Mom.  She purchased this for this special day and this will be very special gift to them both from "Nanny".  My Mom is just the greatest and I am so blessed by her.  She is a fab Nanny to my children, that is for sure. 
This cake isnt the norm wedding shower cake, its actually a very beautiful "wedding cake" but Nanny wanted the very best.  Lindsey is NOT a "filling" type of cake eater so that made it abit challenging on finding the right filling to go in this cake. I think we did good with the choice.  Lots of pictures I will post after the shower.  I want it to be a surprise for everyone to see. 

Higgins Mom, Paula, gave me the birdcage card holder that she has purchased for the wedding shower and its just stunning.  Aunt Dora (Lindsey's aunt--my husbands sister) is going to have the priviledge to decorate this.  She is really looking forward to that, I just know it.  Aunt Dora has a really special eye for decorating.

Wedding plans are all going very well.  Looking for some fresh flowers for the day and its been so much fun searching for this.  I think I have found the best place to purchase these flowers and they come delivered right to your front door.  That is what I am talking about.  Lindsey didnt want any silk flowers, all fresh, and I must agree with her on this.  There is nothing like a room full of fresh smelling flowers!

Did you know how hard its been to pick out "candles"?  I found a few that are from trees...yep "TREES" you heard me right.  LOL  I want special candles all over the tables and the trick is that they have to burn for hours and hours!  This task has been super hard.  Details............wow!  So much details!

I find that these days I'm carrying my motorola xoom (like an iPad) and my iPhone around with me everywhere I go, just in case I remember something to jot down, lest I forget even one small detail!  I have the notebook app ready at all times. Technology is incredible.

Enjoying every detailed moment................its a "once in a lifetime" event...............

Working on a poem...........

My darling daughter, Lindsey
I just want you to know
wherever your life takes you,
my heart shall also go.

When I learned that you were coming,
it was a wonderful night!
But little did I know, my child,
you'd become my guiding light.

I held you and I raised you,
kissing life's pains away;
but now there'll be another
starting with your wedding day.

So go into the world, my love,
and chase all the joy you can.
Just remember you're still mine,
I'm just sharing you with that man.

I wish you all life's happiness, love,
though now it's with another.
But always remember--never forget,
no one will ever love you...like your mother.

Best wishes with all my heart,.................Mom

Everyday its been amazing to see my little girl step right into womanhood.  I have many times asked, where has the time gone?  It was just yesterday she took her first steps, then her first day of kindergarden and the day she went to high school for the first time.  The one challenge to me of motherhood is the need to let go.  With each "letting go", I have watched her ste further into this beautiful talented young woman.  I embrace all of her strengths, helping her to get closer to God and learning what it is to be a really awesome young woman of GOD.....and now she is getting married.  My heart in this process is to help support her and help her walk into the unknown and also help with the challenges of marriage! 


Its been really hard for me to work through letting go of my little girl.  I am letting go of my beautiful daughter, watching her loosen ties to her family so that she can begin a family of her own.  Its so very difficult, more than I can really bare somedays because I do just want to hold on...keep her close to me and safe. 


Change is very difficult for me.  I totally understand and recognize that its a must for this change and I totally support my daughters decision to marry.

95 days.........

Oh wow...only 95 days left of this journey.....


Yesterday we had a wonderful day!  We had some very precious ladies that all came together to work on Lindsey and Higgins wedding shower...."stuff".  I was so very honored to be apart of this day.  Higgins Mom, her name is Paula.  You will hear me talk alot about her.  Kurt, Higgins Father, you will also hear me talk alot about him too.  :O)


Kurt and Paula is funding and heading up this wedding shower in May.  Its really going to be a wonderful event.  The decorations are vintage and there will be little precious treasures around this room.  Most everything will be handmade from some very special people.  I cant wait to see Lindsey's eyes when she walks into this wedding shower for the first time to see some of these things. 


During our fun meeting it was so very nice to hear everyone's ideas.  Talk about the windows, centerpieces, food and what everyone will be doing to make this day super special.  It was everything I could do to sit there and really not ball my eyes out.  You see, I do that alot---tears just start flowing out of nowhere--but I just go with it.  I truly believe God is pre-preparing me! If that makes sense. 


Every single day I am savoring every moment with her.  As I think about the wedding shower, I know this is going to be such a beautiful memory that I will be able to hold onto forever.  I know that everything is going to turn out perfect!  I am believing God for beautiful weather on that day.  I know the atmosphere will be perfect.  I know the "few" games that will be played will be a huge success. I know the food will be just wonderful.  The table settings will be perfect.  But most importantly is that we get to shower "love" to this beautiful couple. 


I thought about what I could say to my beautiful Lindsey and it would go something like this............




                                              

On the day you were born, I loved you so,

I showered you with kisses from head to toe.

As a baby and a toddler you were my bundle of joy,

And I showered you with all kinds of toys.

Quickly you grew and clothes became your passion,

I showered you with things to wear in the latest fashion.

When you became a teen and outgrew all your toys,

I had to shower you with caution about all those boys.

And now your wedding day is almost here; soon you will be a spouse,

So, we’re showering you with gifts to fill the rooms of your house.

May married life ahead be bright and sunny,

And your days be showered with love from your honey.

And whatever showers come your way,

May the love in your heart be the sunshine to brighten your day....

She makes me happy when skies are grey..................

Every little girl dreams of her wedding day! I remember when Lindsey was a little girl she had her barbie doll, a doll house, the horse and she borrowed her brothers G.I. Joe which this all served very well.  But now our little girl is really going to have a "real" wedding.  My husband and I are so very hapy that our baby girl has found a young man who loves her as much as she loves him!  As a parent, when you know in your heart that he is a foundation for your daughter to be what she can be, your prayers have been answered and my friends let me just tell you, OUR PRAYERS have been answered.  

Miracles really do happen and it's a blessing to welcome him into your family.

Here comes the bride!