Showered in Grand Rapids

Saturday, July 23, Jessica was yet again showered with gifts of love from friends and family.  This time in the Michigan area.  Her Maid of Honor, Karley, and Karley's mom, Sharon, gave her a shower at their house in Ada.  We were so thankful that two aunts and three cousins were able to come from the East side of the state, along with my Mom, from Ludington, as well as friends from the surrounding area.  It was so nice to see family and friends that we hadn't seen in a while.  We were also so blessed to be able to have the Mother of the Groom, Barbara, from Saint Davids, Pennsylvania attend!  Also, one of Jess' bridesmaids, Courtney, from Valparaiso, Indiana, was able to attend as well!

Jessica, Grandma, (my Mom) and Me

Sarah, Wendy, Kim, Judy, Jessica, Marsha, Sue

Barbara, Mother of the Groom, and Jessica

Everyone enjoyed visiting along with some delicious light refreshments during the afternoon.  Karley had us play a game and then also had Courtney and Sharon share from their heart, words especially for the Bride-to-be, Jess.  When they were finished, I read a special letter from a dear friend, Judi.  Jess and I both met her at Taylor University during Jessica's years there.  The letter contained more wise words for a happy successful marriage.

The Bridal Hanky and the poem

 Following the reading of the letter, I presented Jessica with my bridal handkerchief.  This was hand-crocheted by Adella, one of the senior saints from my home church in Ludington.  She gave it to me for one of my bridal showers when I got married.  Along with the handkerchief, she had written the poem, The Bride Hanky.

The Bride Hanky

The Bride adorned for her husband

Is happy as can be.

No tears are shed at her wedding.

She carries a lace hanky.

When the ceremony is over

And the gown is laid away

The hanky too is put in the box

As an heirloom for Daughter's Day.

May the years ahead be filled with Joy

God's Grace be new each Day

May Love and Peace fill both your hearts

As together you walk Life's way.

~Adella J.

When finished, Jessica opened her gifts.  What lovely gifts!  Here are a few of them:

A cute apron from her friend, Courtney

Owl salt and pepper shakers (Andy has an owl collection)  ;)

Polka dot apron, from Darlene and Danielle

Everyday glasses

Barbara, had bought their silverware and had it sent to Andy's apartment.

Finally, her punch bowl!  (From Ilene)

8 place settings from Grandma, Aunt Lori, and Jennifer

Formal tablecloth

Roasting pan with spices, sauces and accessories from Aunt Sue, Aunt Judy, Vickie, Kim, and Wendy

 Below are some of the pretty decorations around the room.

Karley and Sharon (the hostesses) and Jess

 A special thanks to Karley and Sharon for a most special day for Jess and for us to celebrate with our friends and family.  It was such a lovely shower!

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Following the shower, Keith and I invited the ladies from out of town over to our home for a dinner.  When we arrived back at our house, Keith had everything ready and waiting.  He did a wonderful job getting it all together and had even picked up a bouquet of flowers for the table (which I didn't even get a picture of!).  Special thanks to Keith for getting everything ready for the nice dinner.

When dinner was over, Jess asked if the ladies would like to help assemble the wedding invitations.  They were all excited to be of help.  Here is a couple of pictures of them helping.

 Jess had everything organized and a process in mind, and it all went quickly and smoothly.  They weren't able to complete all of them, as Jess and Andy were going to have to process some of them when she arrived back to Virginia.

A very special thanks to everyone who helped make this day one we will always remember.

Sailing, Sailing, over the Ocean Blue....well maybe Lake Michigan

Last Saturday, our dear friends, Steve and Pat, took us out sailing on their boat.  It couldn't have been a better day for being on the lake.  Well, if there was more wind to sail on the big lake, it would have been some better.  It was just a beautiful relaxing day on the lake.

Captain Steve and Pat

Out on Lake Michigan

The Lake Express leaving us in the dust at about 60 mph

Keith and I enjoying being with our friends

We ate our delicious supper out on Lake Michigan waiting for some wind.  We had a great time!

Heading back to Muskegon Lake through the channel

Thanks for such a sweet time together!  :)

The Grand Rapids Symphony Picnic Pops

Every so often, we get invited to special events hosted by Taylor University Alumni and Friends.  This time we decided it would be fun to attend the Picnic Pops.  We also thought it would be fun to go with some new Taylor "friends" as well. 

Jessica has this friend, Meggie, that also graduated in 2008 from Taylor University.  She too lives in the DC area and is a busy busy girl just like Jess.  (We moms say our girls are made from the same mold!)  We also found out she is dating a guy named Andrew, who is also from Philadelphia!  That is where Jess' Andy is from as well!  So funny!

Meggie's mom, Cindy, and I actually got acquainted through Twitter.  Funny, right!  One day, we agreed to meet for lunch and the rest is history.  So, being that Cindy and her husband, Bill, are also Taylor Friends, we decided it would be nice to see if they wanted to go along to the Picnic Pops Event. 

Both couples packed a picnic lunch and lawn chairs to sit on.  We had our picnic and sat with the Taylor Alumni and Friends that were in attendance.  Our host for the evening was Marty Songer, who did an amazing job per usual for these events. 

We ate our picnic supper and then listened to an amazing concert by the Grand Rapids Symphony, ending with the 1812 Overture and fireworks timed perfectly along with the rising of the full moon over the horizon.  Beautiful! 

 
(I have to add that Cindy knows how to pack and serve snacks.  She goes all out with nice plates and matching napkins and festive bowls.  So cute!)

Since Keith and I had never been to one before, Bill drove.  He said it was kind of tricky getting in and out as for parking.  He did an amazing job, as we didn't have to wait very long at all and we were on our way home.  Thanks Bill and Cindy for such a lovely evening!  

Our Visit to the District

Last April, we were able to purchase some airline tickets at a ridiculously low rate departing Grand Rapids into Reagan National, which is normally unheard of.  We were so thankful to be able to arrive within just a few miles from Jessica's apartment.  It sure beat taking the train from Baltimore into Union Station into DC.  It also was nice for Jessica not to have to make a drive to Baltimore on Sunday afternoon for our departure.

We were greeted by Jessica at the airport and then taken to our hotel to settle in a bit before going over to Andy's apartment.  We ate our supper at The Lost Dog in Andy's apartment building.  They have so many things to chose from on the menu!  It's all such delicious food!  Andy met us there after he arrived from work.

On Friday, Jess and Keith took a trip to IKEA to purchase a bookshelf for some of Andy's books.  When they got back, the three of us took a trip into DC to go to the National Air and Space Museum.  It happened to be the same day the shuttle launched.  While we were there, they were showing Mission Control live on a jumbo screen.  We had a good time looking at everything.  Jess ended the time by getting soaked in a downpour as she left the museum to go get the car.  Poor thing! 

Mission Control on the jumbo screen

We finished out the day by going to The Cheesecake Factory with Andy, Jessica, and Carey, Jess' housemate.

 Carey and Jess

 This was the cheesecake that Jess, Carey and I shared.  Peanut butter cheesecake!

Of course we had to take a picture of us all in front, since I had never been there before.

On Saturday, Keith and some friends of Jess and Andy, Mark and his wife, Toni, went to Andy's apartment to help them move his bedroom back into the master bedroom and make the smaller bedroom back into his office space.  Therefore, there were some books and bookshelves to be moved along with his bed and dresser.  They had a system all worked out and it didn't take so long.

Andy's apartment building -- side view  His apartment looks out toward the south and east side.

After Andy and Jess treated us all lunch, Keith and I helped settle some things in the apartment.  I helped Jess hang this gorgeous picture she had received from her Pennsylvania shower.  We had such a good time helping them.  Jess and I also made a trip to a Home Goods store, which I had never been before.  

Keith and I even got a chance to take a dip in the pool there!  They haven't even tried it out yet.  It was nice for a quick dip. 

 That night we decided to order pizza in, rather than trying to cook something. 

Sunday, Jess took Keith to Eastern Market for crepes for breakfast before church.  Andy met them there.  After church, Jess picked me up at the hotel and we went to the apartment for dinner.  Jess had made dinner in their crockpot, which was delicious!

  It's a dark picture, but we're having our first dinner with them on their new dining table and chairs.

Jess and me

 Andy and Jess in his office

 Keith and Jess

It seems like the time went by so fast.  We left around 3:30 PM for the airport and our return flight to Grand Rapids.  We had such a great weekend!  

 On the way back to Grand Rapids

Showered in Pennsylvania!

Barbara Rogers (Jessica's mother-in-law to be) and Candice Rogers (sister-in-law to be) hosted a bridal shower in Pennsylvania for Jessica on June 18.  Jessica had said that she really thought it would be special if I were able to attend, so she gifted me with an airline ticket to Baltimore.  (She and Andy would pick me up on their way to Pennsylvania.)

On June 17, I flew out of Grand Rapids into Baltimore and so the trip began.  I arrived on time and was met by Andy and Jess right in front of the exit door.  We then drove to Saint Davids, Pennsylvania where I was introduced to Jim and Barbara Rogers, (Andy's parents), as well as Ben and Candice Rogers (Andy's brother and sister-in-law) and their sweet little daughter, Addison.  Later, I also met Andy's youngest brother, Sam and his wife,Veronica Rogers, just married, May 21.  What a wonderful family!

Saturday, June 18, we all got ready for the shower.  What a lovely shower it was!  I would say Jess was "showered" with love in Pennsylvania with all the nice gifts she received.   I felt so blessed I was able to be there to meet Barbara's friends and extended family as well.  It was such a beautiful day outdoors as well.  Perfect for a bridal shower! 

Barbara Rogers, Candice Rogers with Addison, Marsha, Jessica, Veronica Rogers

Jessica's future sisters-in-law

Me with my new friend, Barbara

 Jessica's awesome gifts

 Barbara's school pal, Austin, (and her daughter Isobel) came all the way from Oregon for the shower.  She created a mockbridal bouquet with the ribbons from the packages she opened.  Jess will be able to use it

at her wedding rehearsal.  What a creative way to use the ribbons.  :)

Finally, after almost 15 years, I was finally able to present Jess with her own copy of The Freedom

Family Keepsake Cookbook!  When the Freedom moms had put it together, Jess was in the fifth grade.  

I had decided when I purchased mine, I would also purchase one for Jessica to have for a keepsake of 

elementary school.  All this time, I had it in it's special place upstairs and she never found it.  :)  I just 

know she will get a lot of use from it.  

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend of being showered with love from family and friends in Pennsylvania.  Thank you, Jess, for your wonderful gift!  I was so blessed to be able to share in your special day with you.