The Wedding

We made it thru crunch week! I was a bit concerned how I would do health wise with so much stress but I survived! The week was full of late nights, (2,3, and 4am nights) lots of last minute preparations, lots of tears as we came down to the reality of Shyloh moving out, and trying to enjoy every minute in the midst of the most stress I think we have ever dealt with.
We are in awe of just how much work a wedding is...and we have 8 more! We got all of Shyloh's things moved over to her house this week. That was tough. As we watched the girls' room empty out we realized that "this" was really happening and it wasn't a dream.
Thursday we started decorating the church and had the rehearsal and dinner. When we got to the church there was already a group of ladies working on things. I had no idea and felt so blessed that we had sweet friends that loved Shyloh enough to give of their time so freely to help us. I am not creative at all and was so thankful that there were women there that are so gifted in this area and made her wedding so beautiful.
Jeff's family hosted a wonderful rehearsal dinner at his mom's church. We had yummy "straw hats", (a.k.a nachos) rootbeer floats for dessert, and some nice relaxing fellowship. We went home and started pedicures, rolling hair in rollers, and last minute prep. We didn't get to bed until 2:30 am. I still hadn't hemmed Shaylah's dress and we needed to somewhat clean our house because we were hosting a bbq Saturday for family and Jeff and Shyloh were going to open their gifts.
The next morning we headed back to the church to finish setting up then off to get Shyloh's hair done. We were supposed to be at the church at 4:00 with pictures starting at 5:00. Shyloh's hair appt lasted much longer than planned so we didn't arrive at the church until 4:30. We quickly did make up, hair on the bridesmaids and flower girls, and then got dressed. It was then we realized that Shyloh' hoop was missing. We looked everywhere for it and then Duane had to run all the way back to Shyloh's to look for it there. He found it and then got stuck on the freeway in backed up traffic due to an accident. By the time he made it back and she was dressed it was 6:30. Scratch pictures! :o(
The ceremony was beautiful and Shyloh looked stunning! Jeff and Shyloh gave Duane back her purity ring. They did a Quaker marriage license, took communion, and had their very first kiss in front of God and all of us. Duane and I cried through out the whole service. It was beautiful! The next day we had a bbq where Jeff and Shyloh opened their gifts. We originally planned to have our out of state family over but when Jeff and Shyloh found out that Papa and Nana would be at our house they didn't want to leave town yet. We ended up using the opportunity to have our family and Jeff's family over to watch them open gifts so Papa and Nana could be here for that. After gifts were done we loaded them up and about six vehicles caravaned over to see Shyloh's house.
Watching Shyloh and Jeff drive off was tough. We all held it together until they left then the rest of the night was scattered with tears.
We truly are happy for her, but her gain is our loss. Everywhere we look is another remembrance that life has changed and she doesn't live her anymore. Today has been a mellow day of cleaning up and packing up things that were borrowed and have to be returned tomorrow. The girls have been cleaning their room and moving things around to get ready for Poppet and Lolly to move in there this week. Duane is on vacation this week so there will be a couple of day trips and projects around the house.
Off to watch a movie with my family..."Father of the Bride". Boy, are we gluttons for punishment or what?

(Pictures to come soon)