oh, Lord, give me strength before I fall in a heap….I swear………………….

Vicky & Marty Engaged!

I have 149 pictures……from Vicky’s CD of engagement pics….I’ve posted about 50 or so on Facebook……so if you are reading this….you are probably also on my facebook so…..go take a peek!

I now also have a few pictures from the bridal shower…..and the social……..and NO….I hate mine…so don’t ask…but lots of others……hehe…so…. Speaking of the social…omg…..so many good friends and people were there! The kids made a killing……*we won’t talk $$$ but let’s just say…….thousands……..and not little ones…….yeah…THAT good…….! They had some awesome prizes……patio set…gas bbq…..airplane trips….camping set……tons of stuff…..and people bought TONS of tickets to win…….didn’t hurt we had BIG drinkers on hand that night too….many had a great….GREAT time……and it helped the cause just that much more…..!

Now…the shower….what a hoot…and holy cow……Auntie Pat was there! This is my ex’s sister from Calgary……who I haven’t seen in …oh…I’d say…..11 years…….since Gramma’s funeral……..and what a surprise…..I walked in the door with the bride to be…..and my sister…..brought the goodies into the kitchen *I brought the fruit platter and veggie platter and some prizes for the games*……I walked past the dining room….and I had to look twice……..O….M…..G…….PAT…..!!…..I couldn’t believe it!

I did NOT expect that….and neither did Vicky! Her eyes just filled with tears…and Pat had a smile a mile wide……and she was looking at me like…….’so…do you remember me?”….all sly….and I swear……she looks so much like Joyce……*my former mother in law….who i must add…..was anything BUT…the typical mother in law……sweetest lady ever…..hardly EVER heard an unkind word from her….she was the kindest sweetest lady…….and I do miss her…..although when she passed away in 1998……my ex and I had already divorced….we remained as close as we could…what with her living out in BC then…….in fact….2 weeks before she passed…she had come to visit back here in Manitoba….and first thing we did…was….her…I & Vicky…who was 17 at that time….took her to the Keystone Centre in Brandon to play Bingo…..*she was the first person ever to take me to a bingo game…in Manitou Legion Hall *population 880*….wayyyy back when Robert and I were first married…….so…of course….when she came to visit some 20 some years later for her summer yearly visit….where do we go?…BINGO!*L*

2 weeks later……..this sweet lady was gone from us…….I cried at her funeral so hard……*the same church Vicky is getting married at in 2 months*…….I felt foolish…..cuz really I wasn’t ‘technically’ part of the family anymore….but you know what…….I still feel I am……..cuz its been 33 years since it all began…relationships you’ve had THAT long…aren’t something you just…drop ya know? The sisters and brothers have always made me feel a part of things…….and this special surprise for Vicky’s shower….totally touched my heart……..

So…anyways…back to the shower……. I walked to the kitchen with my mouth gaping open……and Carrie *maid of honour and hostess with me of her shower…and her house*….Carrie starts giving me orders*L*…put this here….put that there….I set down the platters….Vicky was off hugging Pat……I set them down and turned to Carrie who was flapping by this time…*L*…and said…..just WAIT….there is SOMEONE I HAVE TO SEE!! & I looked straight at Pat!….She burst out with a huge laugh and held her arms out……..we hugged…and my gawd….why do these girlie things bring out all those emotions you forgot you had???…….

It was such a nice surprise to see her….and my gawd…..she looks like her mother……My sister…who hadn’t seen Pat in probably 20 years……came up to me later and whispered……you know…..I had to look twice…I swore that was Joyce……but I KNEW……it couldn’t be……..cuz by gawd…..she does….look just like her…….

So after everyone got the tears out of the way…and the catching up……it was down to shower business………of course i had to go talk to Jean…cuz Pat was staying at her house *about 2 hrs drive away…out near the church where the wedding will be*……and told her…..you didn’t TELL that Pat was going to be here! She just tittered and said…I KNOW….we thought it would be a helluva surprise for you guys! I said……couldn’t ask for better…….my gawd…..Vicky is just beaming……what a treat! So…Jean was quite proud of herself*grinz* As she should be! *Jean btw…is my ex’s sister *he has 4*…..

So……we went on the deck…had some wine…and some goodies…and then……the baby got there! A dear friend of both my children…Jenna *she was also Bill’s prom date 10 years ago when they graduated!*….had a new baby on July 1st…….the shower was July 12th…….we did NOT expect her to be able to make it…..I mean ..who wants to bring a baby out that little….and sweltering heat….and have to dress up and all that…..but….to my surprise…she replied to me on facebook asking if it was OKAY to bring the baby …..I was like…omg girl…..if you DON’T?….I won’t forgive you*LOL*….she laughed so hard…and said…..alrighty then…I WILL BE THERE!!! with baby!!…I said…..GOOD….it wouldnt be the same without you! *see how polite and hostessy I can be when I have to be??*L*

So ….in comes Jenna & the 10 day old baby …..my gawd…I wish I looked so good 10 days after giving birth……..ugh….*L*…..and the baby……omg…..BEAUUUUTIFUL…….he is a little doll……..and his name is Bradley…….that makes 2 boys for Jenna & Byron……Nicolas is almost 4……..I told her she could also bring Nic ..but she said…nawwww…..I will bring Bradley if thats okay but Nic can spend time with Dad…besides……it gives me a break only having baby to come with me……but don’t tell *L*…..so I told her it was OUR secret…..haha….

Unfortunately we got no pictures of Bradley! He was SO quiet……..and a perfect lil angel the whole afternoon…..he cried ONCE…and that was only cuz we were getting a bit …uh..loud…and he needed a feed and change…..then back to sleep he went………he weighed over 8 lbs when he was born but to me…he seemed so tiny…! Vicky of course grabbed him right away…she is so good with babies……and I could see the look go across her face………she wants one……..*lets keep crossing everything please guys….most of you know the circumstances*…….hell..if I could produce a magic potion so she could right now…I’d do it…in a split second……I would………

So..out to the deck for catching up …visiting and food and wine…..it was fabulous if I do say so….I brought a huge fresh fruit platter….melons…strawberries…..grapes……all kinds of things……and a veggie platter…..dip…..and we had all kinds of dainties…cheese….bisquits and crackers……..a real nice table full of goodies…….there were even leftovers…….so I was glad we got enough….there were approx 20 ladies all together…or there abouts…….it was a nice time……. So…a few from the social…….

Lots of pics of my son….incl. a dance with his sister …but so far I have NONE scanned of Vic & Marty …or their first dance…although…I have seen some of them on my son’s camera…..now just have to get them from him…cuz there are NONE of Marty!?!?!?…..btw…if you are wondering why SOME of the pictures of people have 1/2 of it cut out?….my ex is in em and I don’t need to see it every time I come to read my own journal tyvm! haha……..so……yeah….*cough*

Bill & Vicky 2-steppin’…its what they do so well without arguing!

Vic enjoying her social!

Bill having a good old time….outside having a smoke break!

Still enjoying herself!

Lots of good friends and good times…

Even more….Darcy…Meg…Meg’s sister…Megan…Melissa & Rob….

AND more!…LaVerne…Jennifer & Laura….

Vic & friend Megan…Darcy’s cousin…..pre-social…

Bill still having fun!

Auntie Jean…..who brought Uncle Shorty & cousin Dustin along too!

My Mr Matt!…me *argh* & my gorgeous son!

One of Vicky’s bridesmaids…like a sister to her…Michelle & her husband Scott *the hairdresser for the wedding! …he is from Scotland just like my Matt!*

Another of Michelle & Scott….boogie down kids!

Brent….Bill…and Kimmie…….*last guy on the right I have no idea who it is!*L*

When I get the rest that include Marty *duh…it was his social too…but man that kid wanders off when it comes to picture taking!!* I will put them here! So…my son was down from Edmonton not only for his little sister’s social….he was also here for the event of the summer for him and his ‘crew’…Dauphin CountryFest….now…the bunch has always partied at either CountryFest or….what they used to have….ClassicRock at Minnedosa Beach…..but…they no longer have that…..BUT…I do have a picture of the bunch….many moons ago…..when they were all there together…..*don’t kill me kids….its a GOOD group shot!*

Left to right are …Kim *bridesmaid for Vic* a friend I don’t know…Deanna…Gary…Vicky in front…behind is Richard & Scott and then on the right is Bill! So long ago…and SO young…..

and NOW….this year at CountryFest…..hehe…..he doesn’t know I have these yet but OH WELL…I love them…so……;)

Then…on the 12th of July…we had Vicky’s shower…and here are some pics from there!

Karen*bridesmaid all the way from Ft. MacMurray Alberta!* and her sister Jen came…despite obstacles….they just…ahem….got around them

So here is my sister Teri, good friend Carly, Michelle*bridesmaid* and Jenna*new Mommy!*

Auntie Pat! Carrie*maid of honour*, Uncle Jim *dropped in…in time for snacks in place of Aunt Hilda who couldn’t make it but wanted to have her gift left for Vicky*…and Auntie Jean’s foot!

Vicky & her obligatory bow ‘hat’!

Reading well wishes in her cards…with…..bow hat

Carrie helping with…the hat….while Vicky tries to get gifts unwrapped…

Opening the big surprise…from myself and my sister….our mother’s silver chest complete with silver service….after a little speech from me…welll…it started everyone crying…I don’t know why?

After a few sniffles…happy ones……*our gift was saved for last*

It was such a hot and beautiful day we had to venture back outside once again…and we got pictures of all the bridesmaids…maid of honour & bride to be…in the paddle pool!
Carrie, Kim, Karen, Vicky & Michelle…*me, my sister and Marty’s Mom on the deck behind..and other ladies watching the excitement!*

Carrie, Michelle, Dylan *Carrie’s son …9…and the ringbearer*…Kim, Vicky & Karen…

Of course, dunking the ringbearer! He got even tho…and Vicky ended up soaked…

Then Marty showed up to pick up his Mom and take her to a friends in the city for a visit…so he HAD to pose with the bridesmaids….;)

After the soaking…Vicky ended up changing…into a t-shirt and pair of shorts of Richard’s *Carrie’s hubby*…the shorts have Playboy bunnies all over them…*L* And, another surprise….Karen had messaged me previous to the shower….she had a ’special’ gift for the shower…but she also knew that Marty’s Mom is quite conservative…so she was waiting till the ‘all clear’ before gifting it to her…..So, once Marty’s Mom had gone….out came the ‘extra’ gift…and lots of giggling and whooping it up….as the following pictures will explain…;)

More giggling!

You HAVE to test it out yes?

And again…..;)

They were brought up right….sharing is caring…hehe…..

Carrie is a bit…overwhelmed by all the….caring….*good thing the men and kids had all vamoosed!*

Being a good bridesmaid…Kim comforts poor Carrie…I really think she was SHOCKED..*L*

After clearing out from Carrie’s house…Vicky, Karen, Jen & Kim went back to Vic’s house…where they wanted to surprise Marty with ‘his’ gift….*no peeking!*

I have this feeling he approved…even tho it was all pink….uh…I don’t think he cared one bit……!

After a long and extremely fun day….the girls..Vicky, Karen & Kim…with an elated Marty on the couch…..;)

It was such fun….and she was saying still the next day…she will never forget it…and I’m glad….cuz its all this that you remember the rest of your life…all the fun…laughs…tears…..its part of that wonderful journey….and I’m so glad …she..as well as her brother….*as seen above!* are experiencing the best of it all……
Family…Friends…& lots of LOVE…..

So…….right now I have my tracking # and info …with USPS….and it was picked up at their shop yesterday morning….and this mornng USPS says it has left the US and is winging its way to me……..omg….I hope …….I HOPE so badly this will all be a good experience……I want to truly believe all his customers and that this will all be wonderful………so here’s hoping!

So….all told……we have progressed with the wedding happenings very well…everything that needs to be ordered is pretty much in…..
We are awaiting the bridesmaids dresses in August…and final fitting….the guys order their tuxedos then too……hotel rooms are booked….hair appts made……the shower was Sunday and AWESOME….the social last month and even more AWESOME…..
We have my dress to come in……..the invitations to go out next week…….fittings next month…….stag and stagette first week of October…..and then its on to the WEDDING! So we are doing good…..and we now have……..86 days to go…….its comin’ down girls….its comin’ down!

So……while I don’t forget….here is what I ordered….I think its cute…..and its formal enough…..even tho its tealength on the model….it will be a 3/4 length for me……being that I’m about 6 1/2 inches shorter than the models………hehe…so good to go for me…….I just LOVE the beadwork and pearls……it appears whiter than it is…it is actually a very soft baby pink………..and the green shows off the beading a lot better in the picture……but…I think I’ll be happy with it…..now…its just finding those cute clear shoes to wear with it…cuz I think they’d be perfect and GO with everything!……;)

so……MY pink dress!

Thanks for reading guys…….I swear….it is ALMOST OVER!!
love & HUGGGGS
Lori