What happens in Vegas...Don't alway stay there...

OKAY SO THIS MIGHT BE A LITTLE LONGER THAN LAST NIGHT...BUT DECIDED TO LEAVE IT...The wedding was fun just being with friends...and Whitney is amazing and so I include in here for those of you who do not want to read all the rest of this...a video that was inspired by watching the water fountain in Vegas...this song playing and I thought...oh how I should make a KISS video...and this couple...well actually this whole group gave me some fun pictures so I will put it first to save you going through the rest of blog...Congratulations Whitney and Steve...you were so fun to photograph!!!

I started this LAST NIGHT...but didn't get it finished...so...instead of changing the dates and names...just get on your bikes and ride...

So some of you may know...the shepherd and I went to Vegas recently...I mean recent...we pulled into the funny farm at 3 a.m. this morning...just a little chillier than when we had left Vegas a few hours prior.   They were getting cold...In the 40's...which I know it is what you are used to or actually not sure I ever get used to 3 below zero...though usually 3 in the morning I am usually snuggled under the covers...

This our first trip to Vegas...However I was given the privilege of taking some pics of a Vegas destination wedding!    One of my very good friends...Miss Autry...Debbie to others...the ICE lady...the DRY lady...oh there is a whole blog of Debbie stories...but this one is more Debbie does Vegas...One of my friends that you become friends while raising your kids...and then your kids grow up and you just stay friends...

So anyway a long long time ago it seemed...Debbie's baby girl Whitney called me up and asked if I would take pictures from her wedding...well not during her wedding as it was part of the package...but she had asked me to take pictures before and after.    I consider it such a special privilege to have the children of my special friends ask me to share in such a big occasion of their lives...though this not the first time I had taken pictures of Whitney...she had also endured Debbie and I together for her senior pictures...my favorite was us talking Whitney into getting in the stock tank of wild petunias...though as some of you may see...we could have put Whitney in the corral covered in mud or whatever and she would make it look like a modeling gig.   

We left Denver for Vegas sometime Friday afternoon and traveling with another special friend Denise...my traveling friend who travels to Vegas for day trips...well or would it be night trips!   So heading out of Denver we got to the mountains fairly fast and the view from the shepherd's window was mostly clouds...but some beautiful ones along the way...as the song goes...I've looked at clouds from both sides now...but pretty dang cool from the top side...just makes you want to jump in...

We landed in Vegas with just enough time to check in and head for the bridal shower...so I hop on the elevator in Tower II and there are a few people on the elevator...I go to push the button and said oh I'm going to 12 as well...to which the gentleman by the button gives a sort of smile and then turns to the woman behind me.   They begin messing with a bag so I turn and ask if they are going to a shower...to which the woman replies yes a bridal shower I think she told me.   So I say for Kimbra (this would be Whitney's sister who I had just texted with and so she was on my mind!   That's my story and I'm sticking to it.)   But the gentleman who I had made eye contact with earlier says if you mean Whitney...I'm the groom.   To which I think that is why he looked so familiar.   I tell my son this story to which he says well at least you let them know right off that you are the crazy friend.   I don't know what he was talking about!  But Steve's mom just seemed right away like one who just seemed like one you had known for awhile...

oh this wasn't no ordinary shower it was a lingerie shower and though I was told by Whitney that what was given in Vegas should stay there...but well I didn't really say well sure Whit...you are safe with me...I mean when some of the stuff was gorgeous and as I said earlier...Whitney can make most anything look good...I think they were speaking fact when they were talking about her looking good in Steve's (that would be the groom) sweats...so I give you a little peek...

 

 

So decided not to finish with any more...You can catch some of the wedding shots in the video...and others I have posted up...a beautiful bride!!!   God bless you on your marriage!

lyp

The moon and stars will meet us there...Love you sweet Kay...

Over a period of days...I have been on this journey...this farewell journey saying goodbye...I began writing on January 8, 2015...when one special person in our family went to be with our LORD   One of our cornerstones in our family...an amazing woman...and so I began writing...

This morning as I sat at my kitchen table...I seen some different posts...the kind that though they do  not say completely...but you know.   And with that I was certain that my "cousin" Kay...I suppose some might say once removed or 2nd or some such thing...she being my mom's first cousin...my Grandma Bessie's sister Reedie's daughter...but Donna Kay as I had heard her called as a child and when I became older...she was Kay...was finally at peace.  Donna Kay Miller Crumrine...this one of my favorite pictures of her...it shows her light...her joy...her fun...

She fought a hard fight against that bastard cancer...and though cancer takes many things...with this woman...it did not take her light.    One of my cousins described it perfectly when she said we have lost a light.   But though we have may have in a  physical sense...I feel that Kay is one whose love transcends...and we will feel her love in the little things...in the beautiful smiles of her grandchildren and great grandchildren...in looking at a beautiful sunset...in a rainbow...and probably I will see a bird land...or a starry night...and will be reminded of her.    I have a bookmark that reads...

WHAT CANCER CANNOT TAKE FROM YOU

 

It cannot take away your faith,

shatter your hope

or lessen your love.

It cannot destroy true friendship,

invade the soul or take away eternal life.

It cannot conquer your spirit.

 

And though cancer could not take those things away...it caused us to see one amazing woman fight a tough fight and go out giving it all she had...and ultimately...at peace and free from pain...we had to say goodbye...

 

Some made the journey to Odessa and gave their farewells...many of us mourned in our own silence...adorned in purple.   Yes it was told that purple and lavender was Kay's favorite color and so in memory of her...we wore purple.  

 

So this morning as I sat at my kitchen table...I was reminded that it was Kay's birthday...and so I thought how I did not feel I had got a picture for Kay...a moment when I felt the LORD was saying...I know you love My child...as do I...and there it was...the sunrise coming amidst a purple sky...and so this morning I wrote...

 

Amidst a purple sky the sun peeks through as though an eye watching…and slowly fades into the morning sky not to be seen on this cold wintery day…but it was there and like a bright light…it shined and gave us light and joy!   Much like Donna Kay…she was one of those that just exuded light…the twinkle in her eye…the immense joy in her smile…You just couldn’t help feeling better being in her presence.   Her faith was one that you felt…she didn’t have to say it…you just knew it in the love that she poured out.   Though not enough time spent with her…I treasure the times that I had…her gentleness…her compassion…her optimism even in the darkest days that she went through.   An amazing woman that is one of those that are a part of me…a part of who I am…or perhaps who I want to be…The world lost a light cousin Jody said…I think the Heaven’s have another precious child home.   I feel her family…her mother…her father…her brother saying welcome home sweet one…welcome home.   My mom loved her…and I wonder what happens in Heaven…I have pictures in my mind of what I think it might be…though I know they won’t compare.   I think of Jesus…my Christian faith…that He is there…and mostly I know that no matter what the body might look like…what we become…our LOVE stays forever a part of each other and we are joined with our Father in Heaven…

 

I think of the words of the song above...her nephew...the son of her brother.  Her brother Everet recently leaving us...but Chad sang I'll fly away.   I got to hear a little blurb and hope to hear it all some day.   So many things I would like to say...thinking of her family...some of which have gone on before her...some of us will follow...and I am reminded of a night driving home from Limon...the Firecracker in her seat in the back.    She tries to see the moon but is not positioned to where she can see it...she tries to see some stars...I tell her when we get home...we can see them...and her words stuck in me...perhaps for this day...but she says...the moon and stars will meet us there...

 

These words seem to make me think of those who have went home to the LORD...and I think how when I see the moon I repeat the verse...

 

And you will seek Me and find Me when you search with all of your heart.  Jeremiah 29:13

 

And I think of Jesus being there to meet us and like the stars...many that have gone on ahead will be waiting for us as well...they will meet us there!

 

Though the day is almost over...I say Happy Birthday Sweet Kay...whenever I wear purple...I shall think of you...when I see a purple flower...there is a favorite song that was sung for my mother...for my son-in-law...and it seems to fit for you...

 



I leave with one picture that just is such an awesome picture...I see Kay riding her horse at full speed...wind blowing in her hair and she is free...free from the pain that has bound her...I love you Kay and thank you for all the gifts you gave us all!

lyp

Baby Bop...I mean Lane Nicholaus Anderson...IT IS WELL!!!

Just have to put in an amazing day...I am a GREAT GRAND aunt...surely if my brother can be for my grandchild...I can be Great Grand for his!    This morning...I had my niece Bethany...who I loving refer to at times as B-bop...a special gift in my life...on my mind...at my kitchen table.   I had heard this song and though many I thought of...I had shared with Bethany as she was spending some time in the hospital...just wanting to let her know that It is well...and they were on my mind all day as I headed to the big city to find out what my "colors" were...a testing done through work...and all the way up I felt them so close to my heart...

She and husband Josh have been waiting...patiently...well as patient as Bethany can be...on one little precious baby boy.  (Just a note that makes me smile...the verse today in the Jesus Calling reading was...

But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.  Isaiah 40:31

And though they thought they might wait longer...one little guy said HEY...I think it is time to get out and meet you all!    Perhaps the full moon triggered and today he arrived...one little Lane Nicholaus Anderson!

And perhaps I am biased...but he is adorable!!!   But in case you  haven't seen his folks...There is some pics from their engagement...makes me think yes you two are in this boat together...

And I had listened the other day to the song Love is...that was part of their slide show put together for their wedding...and I thought yes this is what love is...being there together in the thick and the thin of it all...and I couldn't help but think of the George Strait song...I saw God today...as one of the most precious miracles of life and hope is that of a new born baby...and so I say WELCOME Baby Lane...you are loved more than you know.   We thank God for you and join me in praying not only for him now...but for his life ahead...We are blessed to have you baby boy...I had found a pic that I used for prayer and hope a reminder of what a precious gift a child is...

 And tonight I was later getting home to finish this up...but I got to stop and have dinner with my grandbaby Firecracker who isn't a baby anymore Ahma!   Enjoyed pizza with Autumn and Andy and her mama!   To which she bought her own pizza from her Book It club...and when we got home I helped her take a bath...trying to fool her mom and make her think we weren't...but I guess the point being...what a blessing those grandbabies and babies are...that my brother and his little bride...enjoy the treasures as I have...Uncle Ethan...I know you will love him as my children's uncle has loved mine...

Josh and Bethany God bless you keep you and baby Lane!   I cannot wait to hold him and when I do come to see him...I will see about cherry breeze...HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE LANE!!!!    We love love love you!!! AND IT IS WELL!!!

lyggap