Thursday, April 22, 2010

She's Getting Married!

Yes, it's true, she's getting married!

If you've met our Jentry, then I know you are smiling right now.



Jentry has always been beautiful (as you see), talented (can sing like an angel), athletic (volleyball setter big time), hilarious (read the story below) and determined (yes, same story).

She was born funny...no kidding! She had expressions that could make everyone in the room laugh until they cried. Until she started to school, I don't think we have a photo that she doesn't have "her" expression. Can't describe it, just take my word that when we see it to this day, we all still giggle out loud. She was beautiful, curly hair, big eyes the cutest dimples....smiling alot myself right now (when she reads this, she will roll her eyes and say Aunt Donna get a grip, and then flash those big dimples).

On her second Christmas, she was still a toddler. My sister has taken all of the precautions to protect her children (and the large Christmas tree). Jentry was the third child, and lessons had been learned.

All of a sudden throughout the entire house, we heard a thud, everyone ran...and there was the huge Christmas tree...crashed! It was all the way on the ground, and you could see her little shoe from the outside corner. She was not crying, she was not asking for help...we couldn't breathe. As the tree was lifted, there was Jentry, laying flat on the ground, both arms extended out straight - each hand holding a candy cane...and she had that big dimply smile on her face. She was so pleased, you could just see it. I'm not sure if she was so happy she had got her candy canes, that she had scared us to death, or that she had just won the ultimate game of peek a boo. Whatever it was...I will never forget that precious little face. Jenna, if you read this, one word...Karter...now you will understand Jentry more than anyone ;p.

She has always been competitive - fearless...proved that through incredible season after season of select volleyball...her final year with a herniated disc.

And honestly, she has never known how beautiful she is...now, that is a gift all on it's own.

Now, she's getting married...and we love Justin. He knows how to love Jentry just right...the perfect recipe of love, respect, devotion, humor, patience, and honor. They make a great team.



The wedding planning has begun...and I Love It! I'll post more later as we progress...the reception site is wonderful!

We shot engagement photos a few weeks ago...(thank you Jentry & Justin for this privilege, and yes, she will be embarrassed that I am sharing)...





























And I got this in the mail yesterday...



It's official...she's getting married. I love you Jentry Kim...

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Warning...Woman Without a Plan

The mood has struck...



Don't know yet when, what or which area...but...yes, something...

Stay tuned ;p

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Lookin' like...



Not long ago, most of us saw and/or participated on "your celebrity look alike". It was a facebook craze!

I giggled (ahem, alot) at some of the comparisons. Some were generations apart, some were extremely glamorous, and some ya'll - just made me giggle again. But I didn't judge, I enjoyed!

(pronounce each of these 1 syllable words with 3 syllables please)...
Now girls, let me tell you right now...I've known all along who I would compare myself to...



She ENJOYS everything!

Shoot yeah, ya'll! We both love butter (well, maybe one of just a little more than the other)...



There are so many things we have in common...

LOVE our Family
"I have raised two of the kindest hearts that anyone'll ever have the pleasure of meetin." Paula Deen









LOVE our Food
"Nothing ever tastes bad with a little extra cheese on top, it just never hurt a thing in its life." Paula Deen



LOVE our Kitchen
"Cooking has always brought me a happiness that I didn't think was available. I just fire up the stove, and things start to fade away." Paula Deen



LOVE to Laugh (especially at ourselves)
"Everyday you wake up on the right side of the dirt is a good one." Paula Deen









LOVE our Dog



LOVE Christmas (to the point we humiliate others)





LOVE others...and really believe all things are possible
"If you have a dream, FOLLOW IT." Paula Deen



Girls, I'm pretty sure she is my long lost sister. We use many phrases and words that make others cringe...

"fixin' to"
"ya'll I'm about to"
"isn't that gooood"
"oh my gosh ya'll"
"like" (don't laugh at us, you use that one, too!)

Others may giggle at my sister Paula and I, that's o.k.

We're just as happy as two peas in a pod...and girls...that's a very good thing (oh, wait, that's my cousin Martha :p )...smile.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Such a lot of pleasant things

Easter duck and Easter chick,
Easter eggs with chocolate thick.

Easter hats for one and all,
Easter Bunny makes a call!

Happy Easter always brings
Such a lot of pleasant things.

Anonymous





Easter certainly delivered a lot of pleasant things....for her: a yellow chick, soft bunnies, first Easter dress...and for us: Papa's beautiful gardens and the newest little one to love.





I think she told Pops she wanted a pony, I think he said yes.



She slept most of the day, and didn't seem to mind that we all wanted a turn to hold her near.



She is everything we could ever dream of...



I wonder what her dreams are made of?



As she is seen through her Great GrandPapa's eyes...



As she plays peek-a-boo from her Daddy's shoulder...



And...who could say who is most content?



Our family...yes, we are blessed, with such a lot of pleasant things.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Bunnies, Strawberry Cake & the Cross



I decorated weeks ago...but to be honest, I will be sad to take this down. It's one of my favorites!

We are lucky to be able to be with both of our families this Easter.

So...we are in full swing of preparation of cooking, signing cards, gathering little gifts...

Dessert requests from Papa: "strawberry cake and banana pudding". So here we go...










John signed up to make the potatoes au gratin...



I love that he cooks...she would be smiling right now, too. Tonight I had another "I miss her so much" heartache. This will be our first Easter without Mummy.

The strawberry cake recipe is in the cookbook John and I started for the family a few years ago. And it's filled with photographs of her that I adore.





I've coached myself for weeks, anticipating this feeling.

So, I choose to miss her - but celebrate our many blessings.

Like...Miss Mackenzie...it's her first Easter!



And thankfully I have this (and in my centerpiece this Easter)...



Thank you Lord for loving me so much that you gave your son to die for me. Thank you Jesus for not leaving that cross. Because of you my family, my friends, myself, and everyone who chooses you will enjoy eternity in Heaven. Never will a greater gift or blessing exist.

Happy Easter sweet friends and family, from my devotion today...

COMFORT
Revelation 21: 4-5

"Almighty God, may our family find hope and peace in knowing that someday you will wipe every tear from our eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things will have passed away and you will have made everything knew."