Memorial Day

As I said before why do people wish each other a Happy Memorial Day......I'm not difficult but it is not a happy day.....After watching Ryan deploy in July and seeing the person who returned....knowing the terror Allie felt at home....and to think Ryan was one of the lucky ones. I remember growing up and watching the Memorial Day Parade on my Aunt Ethel's front porch. Seeing my dads' eyes well up with tears and not quite understanding why......years later I fully get it. Yes we should be able to relax, barbeque and have the company of friends and family.....BUT NOT before we remember that the freedoms we have and the ones we enjoy are there because someone fought for our right to be able to enjoy them. God Bless America and our military! And for all for fought the fight and have fallen....may they rest in peace through the mercy of God! Amen

Memorial Day Weekend

Ever since I was a little girl I have always felt funny saying Happy Memorial Day....why do people say that? It is a day to remember the horrors of war and those who have given all to our country......let's remember those who have served....those on the front lines who have seen and lived the horrors of war....amd those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. God Bless America and God Bless our Veterans! We received the wedding picture cd from the professional photographer last night......beautiful shots! Now we can do the official wedding announcement for the newspapers and get going with the thank you card order! This weekend Bill & I will be painting Allies' old room which is now Stefans' man cave.....lol Off to work.....Stefan has a whole weekend planned of sleepovers and fun stuff for him......and it's not even summer yet! Let the fun begin

Donations Done :-)

This weekend I donated what feels like Allie's childhood....but it goes to a great cause and the money raised from the sale goes soley to breast cancer research and help for those recovering from surgery! While I was in the moment I also went through Stef's books and donated them also. Stef was away this weekend with the Boy Scouts and Bill & I actually spent a nice couple of days together. We drove to the Inner Harbor in Baltimore Maryland and the best part was that we got to see Allie & Ryan. They met us there for dinner as I have a nephew who is in crisis......please remember Alex in your prayers along with the family who are trying the best they can to help him make things right! Back to the craziness of Monday......poof the weekend is gone and back to reality...way to quick! Congratulations Josh and his new bride Richie on their recent nuptials! My wish is that God blesses them with many years of passion, friendship and love! Off to take Stef to his Tae Kwon Do class....the good news is that Allie should get internet this week YAY....

Finished and Dippy/Buddy/House Sitter found!

I finished Allie's room late last night....now she has the task of going through what I packed up for her to decide yay or nay. I got rid of most of the stuff I knew wouldn't be going onto her new life with Ryan...but there is a lot she has to go through. On the upside of all this I have a lot to donate to the Gathered to Give yard sale in two weeks............, 4 contractor bags of garbage and several boxes in Allie's closet neatly packed that will now wait for her to go through. Stefan finally has a closet. It took forever and of course nothing else got done this weekend.....so today it is laundry, housework, food shopping and ironing......Cinderella is back from the ashes.
The guys had great weather for their rafting trip......miss doing that type of adventure with Bill....it just becomes a hassle to try to figure out Dippy and Buddy care. Someday perhaps when we are in North Carolina.....I asked my niece Jill to watch the house and kids on July 4th weekend....I no sooner hit send on my phone text message and she was right on it. Love her.....knowing Dippy will be properly spoiled and the pool, hot tub and house enjoyed takes a big load off my mind! YAY

Mother-In-Law

I decided that as of this post I will now post as Mother-In-Law....strange! Had some great news yesterday, my nephew Alex is home in the United States, Baltimore MD to be exact! He was suppose to be on a two year mission with the LDS in Argentina. As near as I can tell medical issues bought him home. We'll take it! Answered prayers are the best!
I booked plane reservations for my Mom, Dad, Stef & myself yesterday to go to our home in North Carolina for the July 4th weekend. So excited to be able to take Mom & Dad there. YAY.
Now I need to figure out what to do with our dog! Since it is a Holiday Weekend, my usual fall back friends will most likely be away.......and Mom & Dad will be with us so.....need to finish up Allie's room aka now Stefan's room and figure out sleep away camp for Dippy.

This weekend Bill & Stefan are whitewater rafting with the Boy Scouts so it's Dippy, Buddy & me. I began the task of packing up Allie's room today. Let's just say I made a dent in it......hours and hours of sorting and piles being made. Some of the ladies from church are helping with a Breast Cancer garage sale in two weeks so it is a very good time to get a lot of Allie's things over there to be sold for a great cause. It's very hard to get rid of Allie's things that mean so much to her. The very special things are getting packed away for her. It was so sad last night. Stefan came home from his Boy Scout meeting and said that he now is sure he wants to move into Allie's room, which he did on and off the whole time she was in college and working and living in Florida. I guess when he saw her come back home for the funeral and then leave, he knows it's for real this time she is not coming back ......to live here. Stefan misses Allie so much, however he's trying to be a brave little man about it......he is so adorable! Well getting ready for bed now.....more sorting and packing to do of Allie's room tomorrow :-(

Post wedding thoughts

So here it is 12 days after the BIG DAY. I can't believe Allie & Ryan are back from their honeymoon and all is right with the world!

Allie came home, to NJ, late Tuesday night as a very dear friend of ours passed away on Saturday. Allie had the honor to a reading at the funeral on Wednesday. It was a very emotional day on Wednesday with much running around after the funeral. Rest in peace Howard....and put in a good word for us all. It was an honor to know him . Truly the finest example of a couple, Howard & Joan, living thier vows. Howard passed away of MS and the last couple of months were especially difficult. I know the words seem empty and unfair, but their is comfort in knowing he is at peace and with the Lord, however we want him here! Allie left this morning with another car load of stuff! Her room still doesn't look like she moved out!

This will be my project in the coming weeks. Lots of stuff to go through and to donate. Before I know it we will be putting our house up for sale and getting ready for the big move. Life goes on.......

The Reception

The reception was held at the Grand Colonial in Hampton, NJ. The cocktail hour was wonderful. Although I didn't get to taste everything what I had was great and everyone said the food was delicious and drinks were plentiful. Since the weather was so stunningly gorgeous guests were able to spend time outside and inside. It was so nice to see everyone celebrating the day and enjoying themselves. I did catch some of the pictures the photographer was taking and he got some great shots....can't wait to see them! Allie & Ryan had the grandparents introduced (as they felt they were blessed to be able to have two sets of grandparents there at their wedding) then the parents, bridal party and finally Cpl. Daniel Ryan Lovette and Mrs. Allison Suzanne O'Brien Lovette.....nobody thought to ask the DJ to pronounce their name prior to the introductions and the DJ screwed up their name, but everyone knew how it should be said...no worries! They had their first dance to "It's Your Love" by Faith Hill & Tim McGraw...a lovely perfect song for them. I played the song several times before the wedding so I wouldn't cry when they danced and it pretty much worked. They sang to each other and danced so great together....you couldn't help but smile and enjoy the moment with them. Allie & Bill then danced to "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban, again perfect. That really made me cry....Bill had stepped right up and really did help raise her up......with my Mom & Dad whom we lived with, and watched Allie while I worked until Bill and I married when she was in first grade! Ryan danced with his mom to "Forever Young" by Rod Stewart....the words to that song are great.....they looked great out there dancing together they to have their own story of making it through! Ryan's grandfather Doug did the blessing and then the meal began. Later in the evening Allie danced with her Poppy to "My Girl" a very sweet song for them. Finally, Stef asked the DJ to play "You Got A Friend" for him & Allie to dance and Ryan and his sister Hannah danced to the song also! So sweet and loving.....Allie and Stef cried when they danced together.....again it made me cry to see it. Stef said it was half puberty and half sadness. It brings a tear to my eye to think of the scene. All too soon it was time to have the venetian table with a huge chocolate fountain....yum. Then it was time to cut the beautiful cake they cut the cake to "Lucky" by Jason Mraz and they both behaved a fed each other cake with love and respect! Before we knew it ....it was time to throw the bouquet, and garter. All the Marines danced to "Soldier Boy", they had a great time and sang the Marine Theme Song with my dad. It was then time to send them off on their way.....Stefan, Josh and Sam decorated their car ....complete with white window paint, magnets and tin cans! Very cute. Bittersweet goodbyes were said and a kiss for luck and they were on their way....and yes, theyv'e just begun....... We had brunch at the house on Sunday for all who could come and even had two of Ryan's groomsmen come. The weather remained hot and humid and they even got to swim in the pool and go in the hot tub! It was great to be able to spend time with my sister Eileen and her daughter Suzy who came from California for the wedding. Unfortunately time was not to be had to visit with them for very long. They got in Thursday morning, Friday we had the rehearsal and dinner, then the wedding. The California crowd left Monday morning and some friends who came from Washington DC, Texas, Idaho and New York left on Sunday morning. Allie & Ryan have been married for 5 whole days now. They are now relaxing in western North Carolina in our new house and enjoying being a married couple!

Wedding Reflections

As you can see compared to other posts I've changed up my color.....blues were the color of the weekend! We began the Wedding Day with much anticipation and excitment....once I went to bed! After the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner we went home to Allie being so very sick! She ended up getting nauseas from the extremely high tree pollen and lack of food in her stomach! The poor girl was throwing up in the bathroom for a good hour before we went to bed! In the morning we left to get our hair done....7:30 am .. the poor girl is not a morning person. Once at the hairdresser we gave her toast and tea....and after waking up a bit more she started to come around and began to feel better!

When we got home the makeup artist was already working on some of the girls....Allie jumped right in and it all began to happen very fast! While she was getting her makeup applied the flowers arrived.....we all finished having our makeup applied and everything started to happen. The photographer arrived at 1 pm and the dressing and pictures started. Allie took pictures in my bedroom as hers is still in a state of moving....poor Bill was in there trying to get dressed and 5 girls + Allie were not so patiently waiting for him to get out! Too funny! We had the pictures started all the usuals then some with just her and Dippy and her and Stef her too. Can't wait to see the professional pictures. The limo arrived at 2 pm and we were on our way to church......I sent Allie, Bill, Stef and all the girls in the limo and I drove myself to church! Stef told me last night that Bill gave Allie a big hug and told her not to be nervous and to enjoy their wedding day.....I helped her get her lipstick on and believe it or not my earring back fell off and when I went to bend down to pick it up I had a nosebleed....this was definatley unacceptable! My mom, just happened to be coming out of the bathroom as I was going in, helped me to stop it and clean up and then it all began! When Stef took my arm to escort me I almost lost it big time! Amy (Ryan's mom) and I lit the Unity Candle tapers and the bridal party began! They were so beautiful. The flowers, the gown colors, the Marine Uniforms, the pew torch flowers, the flowers in the sanctuary, the music, the friends and family. Ryan and his bestman Josh........perfect! Bill and Allie were the last to enter and it was pure magic. So relaxed so sure so happy so in love! Lois Dornan our cantor sang so pretty.....Fr. Tom spoke so lovingly and personable to Allie and Ryan. Flowers to the Marian Shrine with the song Gentle Woman.....lighting the Unity Candle, Shane (Allie's brother) reading the intercessions) the vows, the rings......the kiss! It became a reality! Cpl Daniel Ryan & Mrs. Allison Suzanne O'Brien Lovette. The Marine Arch was so beautiful.....and bubbles and more pictures......the weather was perfect, the sky was blue and the air was warm! Then it was onto the party at the Grand Colonial......that will be my next post!