In a few days..

...I'll be married to the man of my dreams.

I had thought I would blog every moment and every step of this process.  The words just escape me (as does time).  I can say this... I have never been so at peace.  I can't wait to officially be a family.

"Mama"

Mama, Momma, Mom, Mommy.... no matter how you spell it, a more precious word has never been spoken.  I have been wanting to post for a while, but couldn't find the right day, the right time, the right picture or the right words.  Tonight, my sweet soon-to-be-husband rented the right movie and I had the right amount of wine to make the right words and pictues a non-issue, lol.  A couple months ago (and increasingly since) Lily has started calling me "mom" and "mama."  There are no words to describe the feeling... the love... the joy.  We have discussed with her the logistics, the reality of her own mom, etc.  We have expressed that she should call me whatever she is comfortable with and what makes her happy and feel good.  She is an angle and I am blessed to have her in my life.  I am also blessed that she chooses to call me, "mama!"  A sweeter name, I have never been given.



Sneak Peek...

I got a wonderful opportunity yesterday!  It was a beautiful day with the perfect weather and Megan had arranged for me to take picturse of the boys!  This was supposed to be Vance's birthday shoota while back, but weather just has not permitted!  I am so glad we waited because yesterday was PERFECT!  So, without any more dalay, here is a sneak peek of some of the great shots we got!  Moo, Web... your boys sure are cute!  :-)  Love you guys!

Showered....

I have been showered twice in as many weeks...

...and tea'd too!

I have so many wonderful things going on right now that I haven't been able to blog nearly as much as I would like!  I am happily sittin on my parents couch right now, sipping coffee, and catching up!  Do you ever feel that the only way to truly relax is to leave home and go somewhere?  If I were home right now, all the other "have to do" things would have taken over my mind and I wouldn't have let myself blog! lol.  Glad to be back catching up!

This weekend was my Victorian Tea in Chattanooga with my family!  My Aunt Lisa seen here on the left played hostess with the mostest and my mom, seen on the right, helped!  Me and Lily just got pampered!  It was so much fun!  Lisa's house is PERFECT for a shower - all bright and beautiful with lots of open space!

I got to see so many friends and family that I haven't seen in a long long time!  It was so nice to see everyone and catch up and to be showered with new things for our new family and home!

These are just a few of the guests I haven't seen in a while!  I was so excited to see Emily (right) who has been a dear friend of mine from birth!  Emily's mom (middle) is my mom's best friend from high school.  Next to her on the left is Rene, my Aunt who I haven't seen in a very long time!  :-)

As usual, the little girls stole the show!  My cousin brought her little girl Ariana who wouldn't sit for a picture because she just learned how to walk! lol.  These three were happy to pose though!  Three cousins, happy as can be! :-)  Bentlee, Lily, and Kenslee!  And speaking of Kenslee....

...look who's getting around these days!  Pulling up and into everything!

Last weekend I had a shower hosted by my friend's Paige and Beth!  Beth is in the picture above on the left with my other friend Debbie on the right.  I gave my camera to my friend Lisa to take pictures and never even thought to get a picture of the hostesses together or of ME with the host! lol.  I was so busy talking, visiting, and catching up!

Paige is seen here on the end in the white shirt!  It was such a fun shower too!  Again, I got to catch up with so many of the people that I hadn't seen in so long!  If you remember, our school was divided last year into two new schools, so my shower was like a mini-reunion for a lot of us!

All of my showers have been so wonderful!  We have so many fun things for our new life together and so many gift cards to help us get started!  We can't wait... and all that is left to do is wait!  We get married in three weeks and all the planning and showering and preparation is done.  :-)



Chicken Imperial

Another GREAT Recipe that's quick, easy, and makes the family happy!

3 cups cooked chicken
1 pkg Uncle Ben's Wild Rice cooked
1 can Celery Soup
1 medium jar sliced pimento
1 medium onion - chopped
2 cans French Style Green Beans
1 cup mayo
1 can water chestnuts drained and chopped

Mix all, pour into 2.5/3 quart casserole dish.
Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
To Freeze, do not bake.

(I added sliced almonds to the mix.  I also topped it with grated cheddar and crushed potato chips before I baked it.  I have made it with my adjustments and right by the recipe and liked them both!)