a family affair, the wedding, and mother's day

My brother-in-law, Gavin got married a week and a half ago (May 9) to Deidre Hulvey. They were married at a place called Grandview on Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, TN. The place was beautiful. The weather had been rainy off and on all weekend. It was sprinkling shortly before the wedding. However, God gave them the perfect weather. Right before the ceremony was to start, the rain cleared, the sky was blue, and there was a rainbow. The wedding was set up outside on the patio/balcony. It was a wonderful ceremony performed by our preacher at church. Both of the fathers had a part in the wedding and Gavin had both of his brothers in the wedding. Afterwards, there was a bluegrass band and some dancing. It was a very fun wedding and a good family time. Both of my in-laws families came (brothers, sisters, and spouses) and my family came. It was like a smaller family reunion.

Mother's day was that Sunday. It was fun to be with Cameron and Hayden as well as my family and my in-laws. We all ate together at Cracker Barrel after having a family church service at the hotel. Some of my in-law's family members were still there too. They had church with us as well as lunch. My first official mother's day couldn't have been more perfect.

The setting

The bride and groom
Deidre and Gavin

The Smiths
Back-Pat Shipman, Dean Smith, Phillip Smith
Middle-Janie Shipman, Susan Smith
Front- Brooke Smith
(Mother-in-law's bros and sis
and niece)

My parents and sister


In-laws and Hayden



The Stewarts
all 6 brothers and 1 sister
( too many to name )

first steps!!!

I can't believe my boy is almost a year old. He took his first steps 2 weeks ago (May 5). It was so exciting. Cameron was home and we thought we would see if he would try to walk. Cameron faced him towards me and he took off. And of course by that I don't mean fast. He was wobbly but he took 5-6 steps before sitting down. These days he is standing up by himself and walking (wobbling) around. He does it mainly when he thinks we are not watching. This is funny to us because he loves being praised. This is the beginning of the end, so I have been told. It definitely made me feel like he wasn't a baby anymore. The final step is changing his car seat to the "big boy" car seat which will be happening very soon. What a little man I have. I am truly blessed.

Below is a video of him "walking". It was shot the day after his first steps.

a visit from gran

My grandmother (dad's mom), granny, moved to Nashville from Atlanta last summer. I am so excited that she is in town. For the first few years of my life we lived in Atlanta. My sister and I spent a lot of time with Granny and Gramps (my granddad). We always had a blast and it is special that my son gets to spend time with her too. She came to our house a couple of weekends ago and Hayden loved every minute. He especially loved playing ball with her (rolling a ball back and forth across the coffee table). It is fun watching him be able to play with her. I know that I, along with him, will cherish these moments for a long time.

Hayden playing ball

Granny playing footsie

Granny playing with Hayden