It feels like it's been forever and a day since I submitted a post. But today I am in the mood to write and share what makes the world go around.... for me.  (Trust me.  I have no delusions that I make the world revolve in it's orbit or that it revolves around me but so long as I live on it, that's exactly what I want to do. I want to live on purpose and enjoy it to the fullest.  Which leads me to my next paragraph.

I am the mother of 4 amazing sons.  Each beat of my heart exclaims:  "Austin", "Parker", "Tyler", "Braden".  I wouldn't be surprised if those names were printed out on my EKG during my next visit to my cardiologist.  I pray for them daily even though 3 of them are currently grown men.  I have one fabulous teenager left in my care.  He's the magical age of 16... but I'll talk about life with him on another post.

I do want to lazer in on one of my sons right now and the girl he married.  You will see her in the picture above.  (Gorgeous right?!)  Tyler & Heidi became husband and wife Dec. 2016, & I couldn't be more thrilled.  Let me move the lazer now directly to my new daughter in law.  I want to say, on purpose, I love her.  I literally prayed for 23 years for her to be in his life.  And there she is!  She is bright.  Funny.  I adore her laugh and the way she has captured my son's heart.  I love her work ethic.  I love her kindness.  I marvel at her compassion.  I have not raised a daughter but it's a joy to have a daughter-n-law.  We are breaking all the rules of the stereo-typical-mother-n-law/daughter-n-law norms.  We enjoy each other.  We are not threatened by each other.  We both love Tyler.  And for that I am eternally grateful.

I appreciated the opportunity to design her wedding flowers.  I loved planning with her and seeing her vision of her special day come to life.  I loved laughing as we tried to figure out how it was all going to work out...  Last minute we had weather issues and literally changed venues 24 hrs before her wedding. Hat's off to this bride.  Muddy outside reception was avoided but so were her life long dreams of having it outside.  She loves nature so it was a sacrifice to give up her dream.  But what was amazing about it was that it looked liked we had planned it all out in the new venue from day one.  Wedding miracle. I send my respect to this flexible, strong, and focused woman.

She changed from her outside-white-tent-wedding-dream to and indoor venue with such grace.  (Emily...  I trust you earned extra bonus points in heaven for hooking us up with your venue last minute!)

I am grateful for the miracle and joy of families.  I am grateful for Heidi.  She's one of  kind! And for that reason, I think there's one more name that would be read on my EKG.  Spelled:  "H E I D I!"

To be a mother and mother-n-law and designer makes me feel so blessed. I love my life and the opportunity to create beauty.  I am grateful to live on this earth, with these precious people that help make my world so full and make it go round each day.