Addie & Jason Brown - June 20, 2009

Hi all - I can't believe tht it has been a week since Addie was married. I thought I would get to writing this before now but this has been such a hectic week. I could do with a couple of just sitting around weekends.

I went to Fredericton with Jackie on Thursday, before the wedding. We did some shopping before we left and then headed to Oromocto. Jackie took her car and I was going to borrow Jenn's until Mike arrived on Friday evening. Hugs all around. It is so nice to have Addie & Jason home. Wish they could stay. Highlight was getting a hug from Dustin. How I love that little guy, well not very little any longer. He is a young man. We unloaded the groceries and stuff we took up. The day flew with doing things. I was happy to receive an invite from Aliss to go up and have dinner with their family and the missionaries. I got there and my heart junped at the sight of little Sariah. Aliss was up to her arms in preparation for supper. Everything smelled so great. She worked so hard. She made homemade pizza, garlic bread sticks; salad & homemade icecream & fruit. Robb was a little late coming home and the missionaries arrived before he did. We had to start eating. Sariah sat beside me and of course I gave her little pieces. She's so dang cute. The missionaries loved the meal. Although I think I was a little "ticked" that the conversation was more around them instead of the gospel. I think that is what happens when you have to invite more than two at a time. Robb came home and it was so great to see him.

I was enjoying myself so much that I forgot about the wedding rehearsal. It was being held at Tonya & Jessie's just in case it doesn't rain on Saturday. They so willingly offered their home. The site where we were going to hold it was soooo beautiful. Anyway, I was a little late as it was hard to tear myself away from Robb's.

Arrived at Tanya's and Bishop Ray was there with Addie. Everyone else was walking around not doing much of anything. We had a great time. The bugs were bad and I "HATE" bugs. I took lots of pictures. The girls, Amanda, Jenn, Jackie practiced walking down the lawn. Jenn & Jackie did not have a serious bone in their bodies. Kinda cute. Great scrapbook pages.

We stayed there for awhile and I decided to go back to Fredericton. I was staying with my dad. I was so excited to see him. But I am sad everytime I see that he is not doing really well. He was very quiet. Sassy was very loud but cute. We talked for a little while but then I had to go to sleep. I was sooooo tired. Didn't sleep very well.

I am trying to write this a week after the event. My mind is so full of other things that I ask for forgiveness if I get some things wrong. Sometime on Friday morning, after I had another piece of pizza, I went shopping with Aliss and Sariah. I needed to get a top and a bra. We had a great time. I got Sariah the cutest pair of pink sandals and a plastic pink car for the pool. I miss the times that I could get little things like that for Dustin. I wish he was small again.

After shopping, Sariah slept. I went to dad's for a nap and for Jenn, Jackie, Addie & Jay and Marc to come to Robb's to cut the veggies & fruit. It took awhile but we finally got it all cut up. I had the joy job of cutting up the meat. One of the girls said she would do it but I know that my girls do not love it. A little chuckle was had by all when Jenn realized how orange her hands were from pealing and cutting up tons of carrots. We stored all of the stuff in baggies so we could just set up the trays the night of the reception.

I was so very HAPPEE, yes Jenn happEE, to see Mike come up. He looked very tired. I found out that he jigged work that day, which NEVER happens. But I think he had good cause. Brent came up with Mike. I was glad he had some company. Mike and I went shopping for some stuff that we needed.

I really can't remember if we did anything else. Jenn, Jackie, Brent & Marc were going to roll or whatever the meat. Aliss prepared the dips. But I think I just went up to dads made the fruit dip, watched tv. cleared my camera card and went to bed.

I was going to go down the next morning to help decorate the mess, especially since it was raining and the ceremony was going to be held indoors. The girls said I was not needed so I visited with Sariah, I went to the scrapbooking store hoping to get some black, yellow and white embellishments for wedding pages.

We got ready and left for the club. The girls were getting dressed there and I wanted to see it and take pictures. My heart was so full when I went in and saw my girls. There are gorgeous, not only physically but inwardly. It was very warm. I helped Addie and I felt so much love for her. I wished that I had my "little" family all around me again. Addie was a true vision in white. Her dress was absolutely beautiful. Her hair was long and curly and she was wearing Jenn's veil. For her something old, she chose something that Jenn had - it was a locket holding Nanny & Grampy Pond' pictures. Addie said " they are here with me". I could hardly keep from crying. Jenn and Jackie looked absolutely radiant in their dresses as well. They looked like "babe's" I think that was the term that Robb used. Robb correct me if I am wrong. They both lost weight to fit into the dresses with little fabric up top and form fitting & flowing skirt. I was so very proud of all my girls. Amanda Hamilton, Addie's maid of honor, has been a friend for a long time. She wore a short black dress and with her up-do she looked fantastic. When she smiles she lights a room. I tell her she just has to smile. Her little girl & boy were the flower girl & ring person. They were so very cute.

Things were kinda confusing but if everything ran smooth, it wouldn't be Addie - Right Addie????? But when Mike saw his little girl and took her hand for that long walk, I could tell what he was feeling. Oh the emotion he had inside. I think all Dad's just hope for the best for their little girls. He wants her to be happy and safe.

The song that they walked to was the song from Twilight Belle's lylaby - It was so beautiful. We stood and Addie took the walk that started the next period in her life. Jay looked so handsome and I could see the love he had for our daughter. Everything was going to be okay.

The ceremony was very short. Addie chose to have our Bishop, a Mormon minister, perform the service. It is a very very simple one as our religion puts a greater importance on the eternal union that is held in a temple of the Lord. The ceremony that was presented joined Addie & Jay as lawful husband and wife only til death parts them. The eternal union is for eternity. I pray that one day Addie and Jason can experience the joy of that union. We had a receiving line so everyone could meet Jay's parents and Addie's. Nana MacGougan, Aunt Betty and cousin Mike were a wonderful addition to the guest list. It was made that much more special because of you. Jay's family is very down to earth and friendly. We were excited that they could make it. They had a long drive. Jay was so excited to see them.

The pictures were taken by Brent, Marc, Robb, Jessie & Tonya. How thankful that I am, as the avid scrapper in our family, that this was done. Marc could make a career move. He was awesome. Thanks Brent for giving of your time to help gather the memories for Addie & Jason. The reception was lovely. The toasts were heartfelt, especially the one by Aaron, Jay's brother gave and Amanda gave. Jenn & Jackie's entertainment was exactly that. The only thing wrong was we couldn't hear very well and the music was louder than it should have been. I don't know where they get their talent. Thanks girls.

The first dance was so awesome. It was like being in the stars. They love each other and that warms any parents heart. The cutting of the "beautiful" cake was nice. The cake knife broke. The fondant that the cake was wrapped in was very strong. Addie needed the hacksaw that Marc & Jenn had. They were good when feeding each other the first piece. Jackie & I cut the rest and Addie & Jason served it. It was enjoyed by all. We left shortly after as the girl's promised to clean up the mess after the reception. Wonderful girls.

My thoughts of the weekend go from the lowest to the highest end of the scale. Although there was so much more going on, this is all I can remember. Addie is so blessed to have sisters like Jenn & Jackie. Because Addie lives in Winnipeg, the girls organized so much of the wedding. This can be stressful for anyone but they came through for Addie. Even through the most trying of times the girls wanted to do the best for their baby sister. Thanks to Jenn & Marc for inviting Addie & Jay to stay there during their visit. Knowing how anal Jenn can be, especially about her house, WE ALL THANK HER. I had hoped that David would have come to the wedding but it wasn't to be. I loved the rest of my family around. I have always loved my daughters and my sons, but I want Marc, Aliss, Jason and Brent to know that I love them as well. They are part of our family, a very needed part. Thanks for accepting us.

A special thank-you to Tonya & Jessie for all of your help and support for this wedding. Jenn & Marc are very blessed to have friend like you.

Ending the weekend still on a celebrating note - celebrating Sariah's 1st birthday - and seeing Riley, Chris's son for the first time.

What a memory making weekend - A scrapbookers dream.

Remember - "When you Wish Upon A Star --Makes NO Difference Who You Are!!!!