Home Family Stories Grateful for the Summer of Two Weddings

Grateful for the Summer of Two Weddings

by Jamie

With Thanksgiving being this week I have been reflecting on two of the greatest blessings I received this past year. We have a wonderful new daughter and a fabulous new son. Many of you know that both my son and daughter got married this past summer (not to each other, ha!). My oldest son Mark got married in May and Anna just 5 weeks later in June. Who would have suspected the timing of them both, right? It was honestly so much fun planning and enjoying all of the festivities that go a long with weddings.

Mark married this beautiful girl, Kelsey. She is fun, patient, hard-working, kind and has been willing to jump right into our family and love us despite our many quirks and flaws. She is a dream and such a blessing to me.

They got married in the Salt Lake temple and the whole day was wonderful. It wasn’t without a few glitches here and there. Please notice Aaron (one of my twin boys) is missing his matching pink tie? Mark (the groom) forgot to bring his that morning and Aaron generously donated his. Perfection is overrated, right?

The Mother/Son final dance at the reception. Looking back, I think this might have been one of my favorite parts of the day. Dancing with my boy before he left with his new favorite lady. 😉

Lucky for us, Kelsey is one of our favorite ladies, too. We are thrilled to have her as part of our family.
Photography by DB Photography

This is my lovely daughter Anna.

Her tremendously tall, out going, friendly, compassionate, smart husband is Jakob. We are equally thrilled to have him in our family.

He is a great match for our girl.

 

They were also married in the Salt Lake Temple, it was a beautiful thing. Also, all of my boys remembered their matching ties for this wedding! A win.

I will, however give a little bit of advice for those of you who might be booking a wedding at the Salt Lake Temple.
Photography by Bella Alder Photography

I would choose a day and time other than Saturday afternoon. It was crazy busy trying to take pictures outside the temple! Also, you might find yourself with a few Asian photo bombers that keep standing in the front of your family picture. Just throwing that one out there. 😉 Good times.

At the wedding reception Anna sang a fabulous song to her new husband. The girl has got a knack for performing (like her Dad, there on the piano) and man did I soak it in. One of my favorite parts of the day, for sure.

The traditional Father/Daughter dance. Both participants were a little teary. New chapters can be emotional for sure. It does make it a lot easier when you are passing your daughter or son off to such wonderful new companions.

 

We feel very blessed to have this wonderful new son and daughter. It does feel a little bit strange to have two married children and we are learning a little bit at a time how to be in-laws. Any advice is welcome. 🙂 Where does the time go, seriously! I could have sworn just the other day I was driving these kids to elementary school and scout camp. I’m very proud of them both and thrilled that they have found such wonderful companions.

I’m also dang glad that I still have a few kids left at home. These two twin boys of mine came home from school last week (they are in 6th grade, the last year of elementary school here in Utah) and asked if I would make them some play dough. Go figure!

I laughed and said “What would you two do with playdough!”

“Play with it, Mom. We still want to be little, sometimes.”

What can a mother do at a time like this? Make the playdough…that’s what.

You might be interested to know that while they played with the playdough, they turned on Fox News so they could get the most current updates on the mid-term election. Ha! Cracked me up.

 

Here they are at 3 years old. They’ve got one foot in their childhood  still, I suppose…

…and one foot in their teenage years. Sure glad I have these three living under my roof!

All of the different stages of motherhood are great, aren’t they. None without their challenges, none that are perfect, but each one wonderful in its own way.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I hope you have a glorious day with the people you love!

 

 

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14 comments

Cathy November 20, 2018 - 6:19 am

Best mother-in-law advice I can give you is to just be quiet at times. It will be hard, but God is watching over all and sometimes even though you will mean well it can be seen as meddling. As my sister used to like to say sometimes you just have to let go and let God. Congratulations on your growing family, lovely brides, grooms and wonderful, full of love, smiling faces.

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Jacqui November 20, 2018 - 7:19 am

Jamie, you have beautiful children! Congratulations on both weddings. Thanks for all of your amazing recipes and Happy Thanksgiving!

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Donna Howard November 20, 2018 - 7:21 am

Beautiful!! Can’t go wrong at the SLC Temple!! Just so you know, one of my daughters married two of her kids within a few weeks and now they have made her a grandma (and me a great!!) within a few weeks!! Your fun is just starting!!!

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Colette November 20, 2018 - 7:56 am

Think about when you were first married, what did you and your husband like and not like about your mother in law?
Always include the in laws, like they were your own, but don’t be offended when they don’t chose you, they have their own mom too.
It sounds like your off to a great start though! Already bragging about how wonderful they are to the whole world!

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Jeanne knight November 20, 2018 - 8:31 am

That’s wonderful! Our son was married in Philadelphia temple in June. I thought your dresses were beautiful. Where did you shop? I had the worst time finding an appropriate dress? Thanks.

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Kathy McIntyre November 20, 2018 - 9:49 am

I loved your post on the weddings. It truly one of most incredible times in a Mother’s life. We had 9 children, last 3 are daughters and they married within 18 months of each other! I was so grateful and so tired when it was over, but I wouldn’t change any of their spouses! All our “in laws” are so great!!
My only advice is to be still, let them have their time and enjoy these sacred months of the newness of marriage. I also plan family events and if they choose to come great and if they don’t plans go on, no guilt!
One more thing, I encouraged my daughters to take their issues and problems to the Lord and not to me. They will make up and still love each other and the mama bear in us tends to remember. Only give advice when asked-otherwise it’s meddling.
You’ll be the best mother in law!

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Lindsay November 20, 2018 - 11:12 am

Being married to a husband whose parents are divorced, I have two sets of inlaws. One set does this, one does not so much. So…my advice is not to try too hard to be their friend. They will come to you. Just let them acclimate to the family and they will become closer to you as time goes by. Beautiful pictures!

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Susan Haroian November 20, 2018 - 11:33 am

Jamie:What a beautiful family you have—and now with two wonderful additions! Thank you so much for sharing your lovely summer weddings with us! I know you and your husband will be fantastic in- laws to your new additions! What fun you have ahead of you!

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Linda November 20, 2018 - 1:36 pm

Such a beautiful post! Congratulations! So glad you keep us posted on your family and everyday life.

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Ann Moore November 20, 2018 - 5:03 pm

Wow!What a summer you had! And I can’t believe little Anna is married!! I first met her at Foothills Elem when when she was in 2nd grade!! Where has the time gone? I continue to love your site and use your recipes all the time! Thanks for all you do!

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Laura Leseberg November 20, 2018 - 9:24 pm

I’ve been a mother-in-law for 20+ years. This is the best thing you can try to do: KEEP MOUTH SHUT! I had little post-it notes all over reminding me (I wrote KMS). It’s so normal to weigh in on your kids’ decisions – you’ve been doing it since they were born! But now, shut that down. (I finally did break my own rule intentionally a few months ago when I told my son they needed to be taking the grandchildren to church)

I’m sure I’ve unintentionally violated my own rule several (many? Hundreds?) times, but I do try to bite my tongue.

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Michelle November 26, 2018 - 4:48 pm

I am so, so happy for you. I’m glad you love your new kids. Being a mom with teens and littles, it just hurt my heart a little to see what’s ahead. I don’t know if I can stand to see them go like you are, handling it so well 🙂 All the best to your family. What a busy and happy summer!

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Amy December 1, 2018 - 12:14 pm

I’m a little late seeing this, but both weddings were beautiful! Congratulations to all of you.
As someone who has had a “difficult” relationship with my in-laws, my best advice is simple, one word, RESPECT. Respect their decisions even if you don’t agree with them.

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Heidi January 3, 2019 - 1:26 pm

Congratulations to the whole family and best wishes to the happy couple!
I don’t have married kids yet, but I would say remember that you don’t see the whole picture of their marriage. Occasionally you may hear about the fight or hard times, but not hear about the make up or resolution. Be positive and supportive which I think you will be. 🙂
Congratulations!

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