It will all be worth it...won't it? Yes, it will...I hope

Besides going to New York, which was incredibly wonderful, the only other thing I have thought of for two weeks or more is the wedding reception we are having in our house tomorrow night for Mike and Emme. I'm tired. And I'm tired of thinking about it. I think it will be a fun party and well worth the trouble, but like I said, right now I'm just tired. I've had a lot of help. I even hired someone to rearrange everything in the house. Really, she's a decorator, but she comes in and goes throught closets, cabinets and every room in the house and moves it all somewhere else where it looks better. Nothing is sacred and several times she or I have unearhted something that I haven't seen for years and had wondered what became of it. The house is beautiful-has never looked better. But, it's been chaotic and physically and mentally demanding. It's one of those things that I'll look back on and never regret doing, but did I mention I'm tired?

Last night Bill's mom and Aunt Muriel came in and today they came over and helped A LOT with all the preparations. So did Emme. Later in the afternoon I even Hayley and a couple of her friends who unwisely chose this day to visit. But, about 1:30 we took off a couple of hours and went out to eat and to an Estate Store that is going out of business. Everything was 30-50% off and we had a fun time browsing through every little thing. Then lunch at the Magic Pan was so relaxing. I came back rejuvenated. It was fun to forget for a little while.

Mir brought her two precious babies over to meet Great-Grandma Boushka and I snapped a couple of pictures of them.




I'm so looking forward to Emme's parents arriving. They are such a sweet couple and we enjoyed getting to know them in Canada. I just wish we could keep them here longer and give them a real taste of Texas. Just so you know, we love visitors and now that Mike has moved out we have two guest rooms. Don't let them sit empty! Ya'll come.

Mike and Emme

I've sent a few people to my future daughter-in-law's blog to see the pictures her dad took of Mike and Emme last week when he was visiting (and proposed). But, her blog is private, I forgot, so I copied and saved the pictures and here are three of them. It's very beautiful in Alberta right now and these two are beautiful all the time.







Emme is working hard to get everything done in the next five weeks. We are too. Bill bought our tickets to Canada today. Well, actually his and #1 daughter's tickets to Canada and tickets home from Canada for me and the other three daughters. We're driving up a week early with Mike and flying home. I wish we had room in our car to stop off and pick up Drew, but he might have a ride. Matt and his sweet wife are driving up, too. I'm so glad we'll have family there for the wedding and reception in Canada. A sweet (very sweet) lady in Emme's family ward is providing a place for us all to stay. We're so grateful. We'll all be able to stay together in this 12 bedroom lodge. The town Emme's family lives in has only 300 people so there aren't hotels or restaurants. This will make our stay so much nicer. I can't wait!

I went shopping for a dress for the wedding on Friday evening. After looking through hundreds of dresses online I knew pretty much what I wanted, but thought I might have a hard time finding it. It was only the second dress I tried on, so I was pleased with that, and that it wasn't very expensive. I also found the shoes in the same store, so I'm set. One daughter has her dress, so we only need three more.


(Those aren't the shoes. I had to order them and they'll arrive at the house this week.)

This is another exciting picture that makes it all the more real to me.

The Good News is Out!

Mike became engaged over the weekend to a lovely young lady from Canada. Her name is Emme Skoien. They met at BYU-I a couple of years ago and have dated and had a long distance relationship since then. She has visited here in our home a couple of times and we thought maybe we had scared her off. But, I guess true love won out. They are tenatively planning to be married in March and probably in Canada in the Cardston, Alberta temple, but I'm sure if you're reading this blog, you'll get an invitation with firm details. We can't wait to travel to Canada and meet her parents.

Emme's parents emmigrated from Norway when she was three years old and they still speak Norwegian in their home. She is an absolutely beautiful girl inside and out. We are thrilled that she will be a part of our family. We fell in love with her the first time we met her. And she already has Mike well in hand.


So, just a few more pictures of our new daughter-in-law to be. I love getting children this way. And, I totally stole these pictures off Emme's facebook page. I hope you don't mind, Emme. But, you are undeniably gorgeous and I just had to show the world-well, okay, my four followers and you're one of them.






That last picture was made in Canada. How beautiful it looks. I'm looking forward to seeing the sights there. The girls and I plan to drive up with Mike a little early and fly back. It will be during spring break which is very convenient.
Mike and Emme will live here for awhile while Mike works and finishes his undergraduate degree and I can't wait for the wedding! And Emme likes to bike ride :) so I'll have another exercise partner. Thanks, Mike for having such excellent taste. My sons have all picked wonderful women. Thanks, boys. I told you all when you were young that I would love your wives, and you've made it so easy for me.