It's a Vivas Thing!

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In case you didn’t know…..

It seems like yesterday all she was interested in was her Simba and her blankie.

It seems like yesterday we were planning her sweet sixteen.

It seems like yesterday we were taking her senior photos.

It seems like just yesterday, she fell in love….and got engaged…

And today….today was a day a mother wonders about for years. The day that plays through a mother’s mind as her baby grows up…the day when her daughter goes in search of that perfect dress…the one that will be worn on that perfect day…to marry the man of her dreams. I thought it might be an emotional day, and I wanted everything to be just as she dreamed it would be. We had fun looking through dresses the night before and picking the ones she liked. We had even more fun walking thru the bridal store looking through so many dresses in hopes of finding the one.

I mean, we’ve all seen, “Say Yes, to the Dress,” right?

And then, we had a little moment in the dressing room. I am sure she didn’t think  anything of it, but I thought everything of it. Silly, but true.

And then I was instructed to sit. That’s all the help I was allowed to offer. After all, I am the Mother of the Bride.

And I’ve only been the Mother of the Groom. Which was amazing….and I love my sweet new daughter. And I remember seeing her for the first time in her wedding dress, not too long before the ceremony was supposed to start. She was stunning…all dressed up and ready to marry my son. She probably didn’t think to much of it, but I did. A Bride, ready to meet her Groom.

So, Mother of the Bride is new to me. And as I sat there waiting, she took my breath away when she walked out in the first dress.

And she continued to take my breath away as she tried on the dresses that just might be that one.

And then, I knew. I could tell by the look on her face that she knew.

And that’s all that mattered.

And then, it was like we were little girls, sworn to secrecy….secretly planning the big moment when she would walk out and take everyone’s breath away. Especially, her groom.

That moment when she rang the bell and said yes to her dress. Where I became choked up with emotion and the tears trickled down.

My baby is getting married.

And…

No, we’re not sharing.

No, you can’t just get a peek.

No, not even a glimpse.

For a bride only has that one moment, when it’s all about her, about her wishes, her dreams; that moment when her father will first see her as he prepares to take her to meet her groom. And that moment when her groom will see all she has planned and prepared for him, on their wedding day.

In case you didn’t know….that’s what we did today.

Guess Who’s 21 Today!

21 years ago today, he blessed us with his presence…very early, and very scary, the first few weeks were tough. He’s always ready with a smile on his face, often jumps in without thinking, and wants to experience so much! He has blessed us with his music and his amazing personality. I couldn’t be prouder of the young man he has become.

Happy Birthday, son!

Quotable Quote #22

Living with the Vivas’ is interesting to say the least. One never knows what is going to be said. For instance, when the tooth fairy didn’t show up as expected, the Princess decided to tell the Roni that the tooth fairy doesn’t really exist. In an effort to stop her, the Drama Queen blurted out that she had thrown a pickle at the tooth fairy and killed it. She felt that was better than having him believe that the tooth fairy never existed.

The Roni has been having hygiene issues lately. We have had to have the talk of the importance of wearing clean underwear every day. Last night after showering, as he went to put his dirty clothes away, I asked him where his dirty underwear was. Realizing he’d been caught again, he was quick to think up anything to keep him out of trouble.

His reply?

“It’s not my day to change my underwear. I only change it every other day.”

Relationships

With my son’s recent marriage, I’ve thought a lot about relationships. I want nothing more than for my children to find that relationship that will stay with them throughout their lifetime.

“With God, all things are possible. Matthew 19:26”

I’ve been with my hubby for over 21 years now. I won’t lie and pretend it has been easy; it hasn’t. He makes me absolutely crazy and I am sure I have driven him batty beyond the bat! So..what is our secret?

I believe it starts with our faith. We are called to serve. And in a relationship, one has to remember that it is not what we can get out of a relationship, but what can we put into it?

I’ve watched my dad throughout my lifetime. I can’t remember a time when he hasn’t given my mother everything she has ever wanted. And he does this because he loves her. They’ve been married nearly 50 years now! My hubby’s dad is the same way. He is there to take care of his sweetie…always has.

I believe I have that in my marriage. I know that no matter how crazy I make him, he will always be there for me. He loves me so much that he is willing to do just about anything to serve me…and I, him.

It’s the little things…

Buying a favorite candy just because…or washing a dirty pan just so the other person doesn’t have to.

It’s the big things…

Stopping the circle of pain even if you are right…and not being afraid to admit when you are wrong.

Or mad.

Or stupid.

Or ridiculous and out of control.

It’s knowing when to back off and knowing when to push forward.

It’s about commitment and knowing you’d better hang in there because giving up is not an option.

And remembering what brought you together in the first place.

It’s about knowing you are meant to be together and believing in the One who brought you this far.

Relationships are not meant to be easy; they are meant to be treasured; nurtured, taken care of.

I am so happy my son has found that. I pray my other children will find the same.

And I am eternally grateful for the love of my life.

 

Rainbows

This week my schedule is a little off. Not in a bad way at all. It’s actually been kind of nice.

This morning, I had the privilege of driving my two youngest to school. Usually, a friend takes them. This morning, I took her daughter instead.

I was on my way to pick her up after dropping off Bboo and started driving my normal routine. This forced me to be a little later while I backtracked to get her. And then headed to pick up my kids, as well. By the time we were situated and on our way, the sky was doing some unusual things in the desert. It was a beautiful pink, with clouds and rain. The Smart One noticed it at the same time as I did and pointed it out right away! Right in the middle was the most brilliantly colored rainbow I’ve ever seen. It was incredible! We both just kind of stared in awe as we kept driving towards it, remarking about the beauty that God has created.

As we got closer, it started to sprinkle, then rain. I love the rain.

We went inside to carry on with our day. As I spent the rest of the day working, it was so nice to have the Drama Queen stop each time she passed me to say hello. Or bring her friends over to meet me. It is a special moment when your child wants her friends to know who their parents are!

The Drama  Queen’s name means, “Beautiful Rainbow”…what a blessing this morning to have such rainbows in my life!