A Flooding Red River

While we're waiting for the photographer to get the wedding pictures done,

we are having a flood in northwestern Louisiana.

This is the highest water our city has seen since 1945, exceeding the renowned flood of 1990.

The Red River runs right through our city and it crested today at 37 ft, which is 7 feet over flood stage.

 Flood waters are no respecter of persons.  There are those being affected who will be inconvenienced; some will lose "things" that can be replaced; others will lose treasured things that have no earthly value; and there are those who will lose everything they have with no way of replacing it.

 This neighborhood of million dollar plus homes was built inside the levy on the banks of the river.

The sheriff's home is not exempt either.  I understand the items on the right of the picture belonged to his father that he has treasured.  There are other items in his home that are irreplaceable.

Across town, folks who have no where to go and can least afford such loss are being forced out of their homes.

The other night Hubby and I went downtown to get a closeup look at the flooding.

 This is an amphitheater that is completely covered.

 As long as the current is flowing we are okay, but once it stops, we are in more trouble.

This Egret looked somewhat confused.

Streets are being closed due to the overflow.

There is a beautiful parkway that runs along each side of the river.  The following pictures show how far the river is out of its banks.  Fortunately, there are no homes in this area.

This is always a consequence of high water in the south.

We are told that although the river has crested, it will take a long time for this much water to recede.  Now the low marshy part of our state along the Mighty Mississippi will have to deal with all this water in the next few weeks.

The Party After the Wedding

"A wedding reception is a party held after the completion of a marriage ceremony. It is held as hospitality for those who have attended the wedding, hence the name reception: the couple receives society, in the form of family and friends, for the first time as a married couple."

Wikipedia

Based on this definition, the "Reception" for the the guests at Brad and Chandler's wedding was a huge success.

But, I will let you be the judge also.

May I just say here, that the brides dress was so perfect for her.  I can't imagine her in anything else.
 She worked her way through college as a bridal consultant at David's Bridal in College Station and the Bridal Boutique in Lewisville, Tx, so she had her pick of styles.

She chose well!

Being able to witness the joy and excitement on their faces as the couple is introduced and share their first dance as husband and wife is always so much fun if not a bit emotional for a grandmother.

 They have been so circumspect and respectful of each other and others during these years of courtship and now, they were free to kiss in front of everyone.  And kisses did abound.  Bless them!

 There was much dancing going on by old and young alike.

 There were hugs and more hugs as special friends since childhood were welcomed.

 And yes, there was conversation and visiting.  Sharing funny stories and memories from the past is always fun.

Because you don't see me in most of these pictures means I was doing what I enjoy and that was staying behind the camera lens, capturing the enjoyment of everyone else.

 But someone did offer to provide proof that I was there.  And I got to pose with my beautiful Cassidy, the Maid of Honor.  I loved the simplicity and beauty of their dresses.

One of the highlights for the women at a reception is getting a close-up of the rings.

I learned just yesterday from the groom's grandmother that Brad designed the rings for Chandler.  He knows her so well.  She was thrilled to show them off.

 And, guess who caught the Bridal Bouquet!
The Bride's 8 year old sister.  Her mother is trusting the next wedding won't be any time soon.

Well, what do you think?  Was this reception a success or not?
(For a previous post go Here)

Fun, Circles, Strawberrys and a Brunch

I so appreciate Joyce taking the time during her busy week to give us questions that bring us all together.  However, we will gladly take a break next week so she can get all the necessary things done for the BIG changes ahead for her and Hubs.

Wednesday Hodgepodge Community Link

1. What's something you're looking forward to in the month of June?

We have one more wedding and it will be in Dallas on June 19th at the Grand Rosewood Crescent Hotel.  Our Great Niece will be getting married and we are looking forward to spending time with that part of our family while there.  This will be another blog topic to look forward to.

2. In what way have you come full circle?

Interesting you should ask that today.  I drove a school bus for 25 years, from 1976 until I retired in 2002.  It was a great part-time job that allowed me to be a stay-at-home mom and yet get benefits and a salary.  I also had the opportunity to meet some of the finest kids from Kindergarten thru 12th.  It also meant that I got to know whole families and often the second generation of some of my oldest riders.

I received the sweetest note from one just today that she sent my daughter after seeing some of the wedding pictures on my daughter's Facebook page.  This is what she wrote: 

"Hi, Christy, your mother was my sister's and my bus driver.  She was the sweetest person you ever could meet.  I'll never forget her.  She had such an impact on my life. I saw her on your pictures and she is still just as beautiful today as she was back then.  Tell her Hi for me and that she'll always be remembered."

Charlotte is now a grandmother too!  I think this more than qualifies as a full circle.

3. Lonely Planet lists 10 spots in America you should see in 2015 and the reasons why. How many on the list have you seen? Which one on the list would you most like to see?

Queens NY, Western South Dakota, New Orleans, Colorado River Region, North Conway NH, Indianapolis IN, Greenville SC, Oakland CA, Duluth MN, and the Mount Shasta Region CA

I have seen the following:  New Orleans, Colorado River Region, Indianapolis IN and Greenville SC.
Of the others listed I think I would most enjoy going back to CA and seeing the Mount Shasta Region.  We didn't get to the northern part of the state when we visited there a few years ago and it sounds like a place we would enjoy.

4. A song that describes your mood right now?

"Come Thou Fount"  "Here's my heart, Lord take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above."

5. Strawberry ice cream, strawberry short cake, strawberry pie, or strawberries right off the vine...your favorite?

How to choose just one!  Okay, Strawberry short cake will be my favorite; however, I must add a very close 2nd - Strawns strawberry pie.

6. Aesop's birthday is celebrated on June 4th, although there is some disagreement as to whether or not that's accurate, or if he was even a real person. Regardless, the name Aesop is associated to this day with many well known fables. Which of the following best applies to something in your life right now? The Tortoise and the Hare (Slow and Steady wins the race), The Ant and the Grasshopper (Be prepared), The Fox and the Goat (Look before you leap) or The Crow and the Pitcher (Necessity is the mother of invention)?
The Ant and the Grasshopper (Be prepared)

7. The answer is yes...what's the question?

Is this a gorgeous day or what?

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Last Friday morning was my granddaughter's Bridesmaids Brunch hosted by one of her best friends and mother.  Here are a few of the pictures from that wonderful day.

 Other than the sisters of course, the other three bridesmaids and granddaughter have been best friends since 6th grade.  They were in band together all through middle and high school, and three of them went to college together.  They have also been best friends with the groom all those years as well, so these are very special relationships.

 Tomorrow, I will show some of my pictures from the reception.

We Had a Wedding!

I can honestly say, this was the most perfect wedding I have ever attended.

It was Christ centered and God honoring.

And the bride was unbelievably gorgeous!

There was obviously much planning that went into making the day what it was, but no amount of planning could have scripted the emotion present in the ceremony.

Seeing my radiantly beautiful daughter and remembering what it took to get to this special day had me in tears before I ever entered the Chapel.

Then seeing Bradley's face and unashamed tears when he first saw his bride enter, had everyone else wiping their eyes.

This precious couple chose to begin the ceremony by praying together. This was so moving as the sincerity and sweetness of that moment was shared by all present.

They both had written their own vows and I only wish I had a copy of them to read to myself and Hubby on a daily basis.  They have been best friends since 6th grade and have grown not only in friendship and love but their knowledge of each other during these 10 years.  So, their commitments were based on this knowledge and acceptance.

But, their commitments to each other were also based on their personal commitment to Jesus Christ and having made Him the Head of their own lives and now their lives together.

Yes, this Covenant Marriage Ceremony was about as perfect as one can be.

I will post more pictures of the ceremony once the photographer makes them available.

Following are some pictures I thought you might enjoy in the meantime.

Hubby and I, the maternal grandparents preparing to leave for the wedding.

With our son, John.

The maternal grandmothers.  Isn't it fun how similar our dresses are.

 The flower girl and youngest sister of the bride, Ava Grace.

 The ceiling of the reception hall.  The tables were covered in pink clothes and each was centered with an arrangement of pink peonies.  Just beautiful.

 Chandler carried a reminder of her birth father who died when she was only two.

The First Dance.  Her dress was so stunning and elegant on her.

 The Groom's Texas A&M Cake.  He comes from a line of Aggies.

 I love the simple yet intricate design of the Bride's Cake.

Our daughter, the Mother of the Bride with her brother.

 Our littlest Princess who enjoyed the reception more than anyone else.  She never missed a dance.

Two of our daughters best friends from childhood traveled a distance to be there for her.

This picture says it all.  Aren't friendships like this wonderful?

There will be more pictures coming so I hope you don't tire of them before I get through sharing.

The Wedding Weekend!

The weekend we have long anticipated is here!

Saturday will be a very special day as our granddaughter and first grandchild,

Chandler

will say

"I Do!"

to her very best friend,

Bradley 

and become

Mrs. Cunningham .

Yes, I have the dress and all the fixings to go with it.  I know some of you were as concerned for a while as I was about that.

I can't wait to show you pictures of the big event, hopefully next week.

In the meantime, we will be the happy maternal grandparents.

Happy Birthday Cassidy!

I knew you before you were born.  I watched you grow inside your mom's ever extending body.

I was blessed to see you emerge from that body and it was love at first sight.

It continued being a love story as I witnessed your tender feelings conflict with a strong will to persevere.

I loved you as the organized, orderly, everything-in-its-place side of you developed while trying to accept a life that wasn't always so balanced.

 It has continued to be a love story as I have watched you emerge ever so carefully into the gorgeous butterfly you are today.

 You finished High School early and set goals for your future.

It has been a time of learning to trust your wings and now is the time to test them.

You used to say you would never leave your mother.

But, look at you now.  A University of Texas sophomore!

You have proven that those wings are capable of carrying you to unexpected heights and we can't wait to see what comes next.

So,

HAPPY 19TH BIRTHDAY

Cassidy!

And the love story continues!