A Wonderful Wedding Weekend

We were so pleased to be able to travel to Mississippi for the marriage of my brother, John Thomas, to the sweet and beautiful Laura Kathryn.

On Wednesday morning we left the house just after 3:30 a.m. heading to the airport and had two great flights with three great kids. Lydia slept and ate perfectly, Sarah contently read, colored, snacked, and enjoyed the window seat, and Josiah napped and snuggled. We made it to Hattiesburg in time to end the day with dinner at Chick Fil A.

In the event of an emergency, at least these two will know what to do!

Manly man :)

The kids were super excited to spot Josiah's suitcase!

Lydia, meet your Uncle T

Thursday started with a treat- getting my nails painted! Dave and I then had a birthday lunch with my sweet friend Lisa and enjoyed an afternoon at Target (our closest store is 45 minutes away!). Mrs. Glenda came over for one of my favorite MS dinners. Cornbread and butter beans (picked by the children that morning) can't be beat. The Patriots won to top off the evening.

Dave's artsy picture of my less than photographic fingers.
Colored fingernails were fun for a change, though!

Friday the real excitement began. We all headed north about three hours to Yazoo City and got settled into our hotel. Mom and Mrs. Glenda were the most at home as they put together flower arrangements for the rehearsal dinner in the breakfast nook. My cousin Mary Helen and Aunt Susan kindly came to watch Josiah so we could be more fully present at the rehearsal. Our family rehearsal highlight was Sarah walking down the aisle with her sassy hand on her hip every time. Thankfully her hand was occupied with tossing flowers on Saturday! Dinner was yummy and the toasts were sweet and funny. Laura Kathryn gave Sarah what she has fondly dubbed her "bride baby," and then we took our exhausted girl back to the hotel for bed.

"Oh, I wish I was in the land of cotton . . . " for wedding week!

Saturday started with a brunch for the ladies. Sarah was all about the orange juice and I loved meeting Laura Kathryn's family and friends. She has a super sweet entourage! It was special spending time with Aunt Karen and Mrs. Glenda at the brunch and throughout the weekend, as well. The kids got solid naps during the afternoon and we dressed up and headed to the church for pictures. Sarah unfortunately let herself get overwhelmed by the mere thought of picture time, but did a lovely job sprinkling her flowers during the ceremony. The service was so well planned and full of worship from start to finish. Afterwards we headed down the street to a beautiful building call The Manchester for dinner, dancing, and yummy cake. I love that Dave had the opportunity to meet some of my cousins for the first time and we all enjoyed seeing so many of our family and friends. Lydia topped off the evening by going 8 hours between feedings!

Boys didn't get brunch, but they certainly made their own fun

When you're two you don't have to nap with dignity.

. . . or when you're four. Dave is just thankful I don't have a picture of him napping :)

Lisa captured some great memories!

Hey, we tried our best for a family photo while we were all dressed up!

Our friend Ms. Lydia holding our little Lydia behind the groom's amazing cake.

Sunday began with a leisurely breakfast and rehashing of our favorite wedding moments. Dave and I then met our friends Haley and Sam for lunch on the way back to Hattiesburg while Mom and Dad took the big kids to visit Aunt Marthy. Once home we unpacked, watched football, and Dave and I enjoyed getting away to visit the evening service at Temple Baptist Church. Boiled peanuts and milkshakes were the best end to the evening!

This does a heart good! Thankful for these newly weds. 

On our last morning in Hattiesburg we tried multiple times to take the children to Krispy Kreme while the donuts were in process, but it was not to be. We did enjoy a nice morning strolling around Southern Miss and taking pictures on the ancient oaks just like when JT and I were kids. After nap time we headed south and enjoyed Chick Fil A in the south one final time before getting settled into the hotel and saying our "see you soons" to Goggin and Papa.

Monday started early and we had another great day of flying with the kids- praise the Lord! Once home we decided to have one last adventure and found the newest closest Chick Fil A to us. It opened September 4 and is about 10 minutes from the airport in Rhode Island. We made it home around 5:30 and had time to fully unpack and begin life on Tuesday ahead of the curve.

It was a whirlwind of a trip that was a joy from start to finish. Living so far away I feel like we measure the way our family grows by our trips to see family. The kids looks more grown, they have different likes, know new songs, and say more silly things each time and I am thankful for the imprint this wedding week will leave. Thanks for saying yes, Laura Kathryn!