Roy and Bekka's Cherub

Just in case you don't know the story of how Roy and Rebekka met, I would like to let you hear how precious it is...

Adriana and Jim Conn, are our neighbors on Guada Coma, and moved there when Adriana was pregnant with Sophia. Our families became entwined when Pappaw and Pepper on their daily walks would stop and visit with Jim and Sophia. As we all met, and grew closer, our families just became so close. We shared holidays and birthdays together. Jim's family was up north, so we sort of became a surrogate family to him. It has been wonderful, and we still enjoy a beautiful relationship today.

Well, Adriana and Jim have shared Sophia's childhood with us, and we have watched a super intelligent, gorgeous little girl grow up so fast. And then came the news, when she was 8 years old, that she was going to be a big sister! Yes! We were all shocked, but excited! Sophia was guided carefully though the pregnancy so that she would be accepting and happy with the new arrival, and then when she found out that she was going to have a baby sister, oh wow!

We just had to have a shower (couples) for Adriana, and as the due date quickly approached, we found ourselves hurrying to set the date. So, Bekka, Mindee, Sherry, and myself got to go to the Party Store, and shop for a cradle. Arrangements for the huge crowd had to be changed to Natural Bridge Caverns just to accommodate the numbers. But, we felt this would be perfect. It's just such a nice place to have a party.

Adriana gave us the guest list and the party was held with a huge turnout...a great success! Adriana, who really needed everything, since Sophia was 8, and here she was having a brand new baby, so she was really blessed with beautiful gifts, and everything she needed.

While the party was going on, we were busy serving cake, punch, helping with the gifts, etc, etc, etc, and where was Bekka? No one could find her! Well, she was sitting at a table there in the visitors center talking with ROY! Roy had been invited to the party because he and Adriana had been in college together at Incarnate Word. And they talked incessantly for hours during the shower!

The next week, Roy called Adriana and asked, "Do you think Bekka would be interested in going out?" Adriana said she thought that Bekka would really enjoy his company, knowing Roy from his college years, and having kept in close touch with him ever since. He had moved to New Braunfels in 2002 and worked in business, loving the city, and becoming involved in church and service to the community.

So, in essence, Charli is the whole reason that the two of them met. She brought Bekka and Roy together. Her life had meaning before it even began, as God had a purpose for her even as she moved in her mother's womb. What a blessed child! We all love her so much!

And now we will have Charli come down the aisle as a little cherub and then we will enjoy a big party at Natural Bridge Caverns together after the wedding! It's perfect!

Flying South to Pleasanton

Monday, the 7th of June, Roy took off at noon and grabbed his bride, his future mother-in-law (does that sound scary?), and Mammaw (that NEVER sounds scary), and heads with these three women in the car (for him, that may be very scary, even though he would never say so) south to Pleasanton, his home town. His Mom, Terri, is taking us SHOPPING!

Actually, the bride and groom are going to register at Nest Feathers and Sisters, two stores that are absolutely wonderful, just like our old China and Things and Denson and Dedeke's. These stores have the things that you just can't find anywhere else, the treasures that you will love having in your home. And that's just it, these are the items, that make your house a home!

First off, Terri prepared a delicious meal for us in their lovely home (my first time there, although Mom (Mammaw) had been there, and of course, Bekka had been there many times). Roy (her Roy) had to go to work that afternoon, so he did not go shopping with us, but Roy (Bekka's Roy) was more than happy to go. And I can see why!!! The first shop, Nest Feathers, was just so cute! We spent forever there, and the kids had so much fun!!! They kept adding things to their list over and over until they were sure they had it all. And Mammaw had fun shopping there, too!

Then, across the street to Sisters, which is equally stocked with unusual items and specialties that you just don't find anywhere. And again, the kids were like in a candy store all over again! Roy was really having fun!!! And Bekka, too. Terri, Mammaw and I would just buzz around them and look at things, making a few suggestions at times. So, we could get excited, too, if we found something they liked!

The shopkeeppers teasingly turned the lights out on us and locked the doors behind us as we left, as we shopped til the last minute!!! They were very kind and gracious, wanting to help the kids find everything, and set up their "spot" with their engagement picture and all their selections. So neat! (See picture)

After supper together at Roy's aunt's restaurant (delicious!!!), we hurried back to Terri's right before a thunderstorm, and waited it out there, looking at wonderful family photos, before returning home at about 8:30. So, we filled up a whole day just since noon, but it was a FABULOUS day!

The Jog to Hobby Lobby

When the time comes that a bride must make decisions about her wedding reception, she MUST either have a designer wedding consultant to handle it all, or have a group of family and friends that is eager(?) to help her, thus save a ton of money (that would be us).

So, off WE go to Hobby Lobby, after talking about how many tables, what size, etc., etc., etc. WE, is Bekka (the bride), Mom (the MOB), Mindee (the MOH or SOB as I call her), and Paige (who is our official unofficial free wedding consultant/ coordinator and generally wonderful person.

We start shopping for the table decorations, and looked at vines, willows, flowers, vases, candles, and I can't say what all we found!!! It was so much fun !! Watch for the results at the reception...

Exciting Night...Whatever...

I guess that the entire world has its familiies gathered round their TVs tonight watching the DWTS finale! So, we are gathered round the TV, eating fajitas, sort of a community meal, that I KNOW we will enjoy, and getting ready to watch Nicole win (even though Bekka has voted all her votes for Evan).

Today, she was run all over the place by the MOB getting wedding stuff done, and we did have a very successful day. We did get the wedding flutes, beautiful crystal flutes, hand-cut from Scotland. We finished the shopping for everything for the unity sand ceremony. We accomplished the task of finding what Bekka really liked for the wedding book, and the sign-in book (and they are beautiful). We also found the flower girl baskets.

The best part of the day was the experimentation that we got to do at Water 2 Wine, the WONDERFUL wine-making bar on Seguin St. You can make your own wine, label it yourself, and believe me, everything we sampled, was delicious! Then, we went futher downtown to Henne Hardware. If you haven't been there in a long time, you should really go. It is so very interesting. You should just walk around the store and look at everything. It is a history lesson in real life. When I was in middle school Brides actually registered there. So we were just checking everything out. The man said that we really could register if we wanted to...Bekka said that she would rather have Roy with her. I don't blame her, but I would encourage them to go back!

So, we got to put a lot of checks on our "to-do" list today. Yay!!!!

Going to the Creek

Roy FINALLY gets to go to the CREEK! We have been wanting for the longest time to take him out to the creek, but it's been so very busy for all of us, getting every-thing organized here at the beginning of their engagement that we just haven't had time! Whew, evem that was a long sentence!

Anyway, we made it out to the creek! WE, being just Weldon and I, Mindee and Kevin, and Bekka and Roy; so it was nice that we got to spend a few hours running around the pasture; cruising by the creek; cooking some sausage on the pit and having sausage wraps, and enjoying the cool evening. The water is really beautiful and ALL the springs are running! So, it was a great time for Roy to get to see it. We really were sad that we missed the Conns and Mammaw coming, cause it's just more fun with them around.

We'll plan a party for everyone next time.

Another Week Gone By (or is it bygone?)

The weeks are just whizzing by for me, I don't know about Roy and Rebekka. When I ask Roy, he says that he stays REALLY busy at work. And I know that he does, even on weekends, he is working until 7:00 PM!!! And for Rebekka, things are just about ready to get wild with Memorial Day approaching. Hours will get looooooonger at Natural Bridge Caverns, with summer hours going into effect.

So, getting the two of them together to talk to the cake lady, talk to the caterer, decide on table decorations is just next to impossible. So, they will only have to do the VERY necessary things like eat cake, and decide on what to eat at their reception, and I will work with Paige, Mindee and Shirley on the table decorations (and probably Jessie, too). We'll get that part done.

The bridesmaids need to get to Celebrations to take care of their gown situation by next Monday, or give them a call "Muy Pronto."

I am getting more organized because Adriana gave me two books--one called "The EVERYTHING Wedding Organizer" and another one called "The EVERYTHING Mother of the Bride Book." Now, I have no excuse for not doing EVERYTHING that needs to be done. Thank God, Terri is such a wonderful influence on me, because she is a great organizer and planner (we've got to get together again soon, Terri, but I know you have been very busy).

Needless to say, I think that Roy and Bekka are doing great, and love each other very, very much. I am very happy for them. You should see how the other member of the family has accepted Roy. I bet you didn't know about him. Mr. Knightley, the little Shihtzu pound puppy that Bekka adopted from her neighbor will become Roy's, too, after their marriage. Actually, Knightley had already accepted him and loves him very much. So, no problem there...WHEW...didn't want a problem with that!!! Knightley will bark and sound tough at first, but will lick you to death as soon as you pet him.

I hope that all of you received your "Save the Dates." Thank you, Adriana for the great photography, and Terri, for getting the printing done. They did turn out really nice. Make sure that all of you "save the date!"

The Most Beautiful Venue in the World

Today, we met our caterer at the reception venue, which happens to be the most beautiful location in the world, and is right here in Comal County! This place has so much meaning to our family and to Rebekka and Roy, so it is just perfect!

Natural Bridge Caverns celebrated 50 years since its discovery this March, and as we all gathered, it was so beautiful, and so accommodating. It just made sense to use the Caverns when Roy proposed in April! October would still be nice weather and Rebekka and Roy met there at Adriana's baby shower!

All things set, we met with Kathy Meurin this morning, along with EVERYONE! Roy, Rebekka, Weldon, Roy (Roy's Dad), Terri, Jessie and Erin, and myself walked along the whole property, and everything just works perfectly. Kathy is a mastermind, and she makes all the tables look beautiful; the food taste incredible; and everything run smoothly. She prides herself on keeping her customers happy and making such memorable events.

Then we headed back to NB...Roy, back to work; Bekka and I, met with Mammaw at the Fork and Spoon for lunch after which Rebekka donated blood (the blood bank loves her O neg blood) and Mammaw and I signed up at the Fork and Spoon for the Bridesmaids Brunch on Oct. 23rd. One more thing off the list-----check!!!

Thank you, Lord, for providing a beautiful venue, and a blessed day to make plans!