TOP TEN 2017

As is our tradition...we all remembered 2016 and the fun things we have done, places we have been, and people we love doing life with!

Monday Funday

GREAT morning going to look at Lauren's wedding pictures....ahhh. And then getting to eat lunch with our dear friends Kent and Laine. This family was placed in our life during a season where we were just desperate for a friend couple who was just ahead of us in parenting and ministry. They moved a few years later but return to Russellville a couple times of year. We are TRULY SO THANKFUL they call us to catch up and eat a meal with them when they're in town. We feel blessed on a day when we are reminded of God's goodness.

Fun facts:
1. Laine is the first person I told I was pregnant with Sheridan.
2. Laine and Richard share a birthday.
3. Their three kids are boy, girl, girl, and so are our first three.
4. They gave us a baton (of their daughters) when they were moving, over 10 years ago, and we still have it. And it's still being twirled!
5. The Fanchers are the only adults we have ever gone to an amusement park together, without kids!

Wedding post #2

Until we get our OFFICIAL FABULOUS professional photos in...these are my favorite of the ceremony. Burgundy dresses, grey vests, and falling lights set the stage for Lauren and Ian's BEST DAY EVER. So very thankful that they could demonstrate a CHRIST-centered, fun wedding for every guest in the room.

Yes, the best man acted like he forgot the ring. A red ring pop was passed forward...until the real ring was found.

Yes, the pastor said there was much more written to the men in the Bible about how they needed to treat their wife...because men were a little slow, or they needed more instruction.

Yes, they danced off the stage...including twirls for the bridal party.

Yes, Richard helped me figure out yet another crazy plan to hang lights from the industrial ceiling in our church and did it without complaint!

SO much to say...wedding post #1

Whoa! It's Sunday afternoon and I've just gotten up from yet another deep-sleep nap from the chair in the living room. The kids were watching a movie but they've gone on to other things now. I'm thankful they know not to wake a sleeping Mama of the Bride!

I've hosted many events in the last years, I know how to plan, be flexible and take care of people. However, I've NEVER hosted a wedding, nor had to make plans with the main goal of making two people SMILE ALL NIGHT! I'm so thankful I can call our wedding a SUCCESS on all fronts! We knew at the end of the night they would be legally wed, but all the other details made the night super fun!

This afternoon I asked the 3 littles to tell me their favorite things in the wedding. They wrote and wrote and then we shared. It's so funny to see how they ranked their favorites, there were SO MANY wonderful parts it's hard to choose!

CAMERON:

Dancing with our cousins

Cake: baseball cake

Whip n Nay Nay

The funness/funner

The dancing

The watermelon and pineapple

The ring pop

The preacher

The people

The fireworks

JORDAN:

Food

The smooch

Lauren’s Dress – she’d like to wear someday

The rehearsal (dinner)

The colors

The father/daughter dance

The signing of the book (guest book)

The cupcakes

The wedding shower

The Jenga blocks

The Bs - she also might want to use these someday if she marries someone with a B last name!

SHERIDAN:

Ian & Lauren getting married

Vows

Getting to greet everyone and hand out programs

Chocolate Chip Dip

Getting to see old Clarksville friends (Suede, Lindsey & Lexi)

How pretty it was at Bona Dea for pictures

The wrap (sandwich) in the bridal party room, it was very good

Getting to pray over Lauren and Ian during the wedding

Seeing Lauren’s Falls Creek friends

Erin and Dad’s speeches

The leftovers we got to bring home

The special painted wedding signs

Getting to walk down the aisle with Jordan and Cameron

From a MOM or MOB's perspective:

~ALL my kids being home...Ryan found out on Tuesday he could get a flight home from Ft Benning

~When her flowers and our cupcakes came in and were EXACTLY like she wanted

~The smile Lauren had when she put on her dress and veil

~Praying over Lauren with her bridal party and her new mother in law

~Seeing people come to the wedding from all over who love Lauren (including band director from high school, friends from Falls Creek staff, friends from FBC Clarksville, new friends from their LIFE groups, friends from my Life Group, high school friends, former neighbors, and family from as far away as California!)

~The moment when Richard gave Lauren to Ian and gave him a huge manly hug

~The maid of honor speech by Erin and the father toast by Richard

~The father/daughter dance (choreographed by a friend and NAILED on the dancefloor!)

~The family who smiled, hugged and loved Lauren just by being there

~The smile on Lauren's face as she left with Ian for her HAPPILY EVER AFTER

Surprises....

More surprises for Sheridan!

SURPRISE #5: Pedicure with Erin! Erin was home for a few weeks before she headed out for the summer and was ready to get in on the fun! She took Sheridan out for a little paint on their toes!

SURPRISE #6: Lauren ate lunch at school with Sheridan! When you're in middle school and your big sister brings Quizznos to replace your PB&J, you're pretty happy! 

SURPRISE #7: Ian took Sheridan CLIMBING! She did not expect this one at all. They both climbed The Wall in Russellville and had smoothies.  Yes, food does seem to be a theme with our girl!

Getting Excited!

Family Business

It wasn't even at my event...but this just proves that our business is DEFINITELY a family business. Rhea Lana had a HUGE event in Conway and even Mimi and Gramps jumped in to help! Lauren and Ian went several days to help out and I trained some new owners on Saturday afternoon. When we first started our businesses we ONLY had family to help, now we're all blessed with great leaders and other volunteers, but it's always a good time when our family jumps in too. 

Surprise Party

What's a proposal without a good surprise party with your family, your life group, some church friends, some summer camp friends, and some friends from high school? It's one of the greatest feelings for a parent to see their kids being loved on. We're super happy for Ian and Lauren, but to see their friends roll out and love on them...priceless.