Family Tradition

April 2, 2011.....Sunshine, blue skies, cool breezes......a perfect day for a McLendon family tradition....a holiday shower for Jenna and George to celebrate their wedding this year!  Years ago, a tradition was started to honor the newest brides and grooms to the family and to help them get a head start with their holiday decorating.  The love and excitement of decorating the home for the holidays is a common thread all the McLendons have with each other so to pass this love to the next generation, the Holiday Shower was started!  Well..... today it was Jenna and George's turn!

All the kids, young and old enjoyed fishing in the ponds.  It seemed like everytime the line was cast, a fish was caught!  Now that is my kind of fishing!

Another blessing during this day was to watch my mother-in-law fish.  A month ago, we didn't think she would ever make it from the hospital and here she was, fishing and catching every time she threw a line in!  It did my soul good to see her in her "element", doing something she and PawPaw loved to do while spending time together!  I know he was smiling down on her!

Tables were set up around the pond and decorated with spring colored table cloths with little pots of flowers.  Delicious food prepared by loving hands was spread out for everyone to enjoy after sweet Molly sang the blessing.  Chocolate covered strawberries were a hit!  As usual.....this family knows how to cook and everyone enjoyed their talents!

Jenna and George enjoyed opening gifts from all the family.  They received gifts for Christmas, Valentine's Day, Spring, Easter, as well as wedding gifts with their new name and initials on them.  As they celebrate the holidays and their first year of marriage, they will remember the family that shared this special time with them as they place their decorations in their first home

This Love Note is for all those that made this Holiday Shower a memorable day for my baby girl and her husband to be.  This family tradition will be remembered every holiday Jenna and George decorate their home.  I am so blessed to have such a great family!  I  love all of you!

Thank you

This week has been a time filled with emotions for our family.  As we are busily planning and anticipating the upcoming weddings of Justin and Marsha in April and Jenna and George in December, we have also been feeling sadness due to the illness of Jerry's mama.  Mawmaw (as she is known by all who love her) has been sick for around 4 weeks with what we thought was a virus but ended up being a very sick gallbladder.  After having it removed and thankfully coming through surgery, she remains in ICU as they work with her to stabilize her blood pressure.  I pray that God will continue to heal her and give her quality life in her remaining years.

I am so thankful that Jerry had such wonderful parents that taught him about the important things in life.  Through their guidance and by their example, they taught him the value of marriage and family.  Because of them, I have a wonderful husband who has been a fantastic father to our three children leading us all with strength and love.


So tonight as I think back about all that happened this week, I want to send this "Love Note" to a special lady that has been in my life for the past 35 years.  Thank you, Mawmaw,  for being a loving mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother to this family! Your influence will continue for generations to come!  I love you dearly and I am blessed to have you in my life!

     

Princess Bride

Good morning blue skies and sunshine!  What a beautiful day to begin the search for the perfect bridal gown for my princess!  Off to Montgomery Jenna and I go with my Mama (better known to everyone as Meme), and Sarah, her maid-of-honor and life long best friend.



Our first stop was All About Weddings.





George's mom, Aggie, joined us for the fun!







Jenna tried on lots of pretty dresses!      And the staff was great!          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
We did decide on the perfect shade of white that was best on Jenna.  Who would have ever guessed there were so many shades of WHITE?


The next stop was a quaint little boutique, Bridals by Penolia, on Mulberry Street.

Jenna tried on 2 gowns and really liked the second gown.  Hmmmmmm......will this be the one?

A precious expression on Meme's face as she watches her baby Jenna try on wedding dresses!

Off to eat lunch at Shashy's and then a little deversion to East Chase to visit a couple of stores (while we were in the area)!




Our final store was David's Bridal!  Boy was it crowded and we didn't know you had to have an appointment!                            



But after a little wait, off Jenna and Sarah go to the dressing room with the first pick!  It wasn't long before Sarah reappeared trying to hold back laughter as she asked me to help.  Apparently, neither she or Jenna could figure out exactly how to get in the dress with so much netting and fluff!

Well.....netting, fluff and lots of glittzy beads looks great.......if you want to look like a cupcake!

 During this time, Meme finds a little friend named Hannah.  Meme loves the little ones and I think both of them have had about all the wedding shopping they could stand for one day!

I don't think little Hannah was the only one that was tired of shopping!  Do you????

  Jenna finds 2 more gorgeous gowns that look stunning on her so now....... which will it be?

We are going to review the pictures I made and sleep on it a few days because.........this is my baby girl, a piece of my heart, my princess and...... this dress has to be perfect and exactly what she had dreamed about!  After all, she is my princess bride!!!!! 

Welcome to my blog!

People who know me may be a little surprised at my attempt to begin a blog!  But I have come to realize that my life is quickly changing and if I don't do something to help me remember these events in my life, I may never be able to recapture the emotions and memories that are unfolding.  I not only wanted this for myself but I also wanted those I love and care about, whether they are near or far away, to experience the times of my life!  That is why I named this "Love Notes".  This blog is dedicated to my soul mate, Jerry, and my precious children, Jared, Justin, Jenna, Dawn, Marsha, and George!  I will do my best not to embarrass you all but maybe one day you will be able to look back and have fond memories of these special times!  So, all that said and done, here are my "Love Notes" to my family and friends I love!