I know, I know – yet another collage!

I just discovered Picasa – I will tire of this soon, bear with me.

The other day Millie and Clara were hanging out in Clara’s room – taking books off the shelf and “reading”.

As I watched them potter about it struck me that this was one of those wonderful moments where they were happy, and enjoying this simple activity together and so I grabbed the camera and did my best to capture it.

(I realize this is a bit on the small side, but if you click on it you can see it bigger and get a better sense of it.)

Today is my friend Erika’s birthday. I would love to tell you a little bit about her.

She is a beauty. A thinker. A worker. A love. A true friend and a wonder!

She is a person of true depth and goodness.

I still remember the first time I saw her. This is so wrong of me but I judged her hard core. She was so beautiful and confident  I thought, “Oh, she looks too good to be true. I doubt we’ll be friends.”

How lame was I?

And how wrong was I!

Actually, I was right about one thing – she kind of is too good to be true. I guess when I saw how beautiful she was, how stylish and put together – I figured that was who she was and what she cared about. Now, I will be the first to tell you that this woman can do fashion. She is put together and she is a hot tamale – but she is sooooooooo, soooooooooo, sooooooooo much more than her very beautiful exterior!

I think that as I got over my own stupid insecurities I could see that behind her flawless beauty was a heart that loved God – truly and completely. She cared about and loved and wanted the same things that I did. To be true to the covenants she’d made with God. To create a home where the Spirit could be. To be a devoted wife and mother.

One of the things I love and admire most about Erika is her commitment to live the gospel with her whole heart. She is so committed to doing what is right, no matter the cost and no matter the consequence. Oh, how I love and admire her for her integrity and her desire to do what is right.

When we met I was brand newly married and she was still single. She was one of the few people in the singles ward who would be my friend. Once I was married I became invisible to most of the members in the ward. It was kind of odd. But Erika, bless her heart, reached out to me in love – and because of her confidence and goodness we became fast friends.

We spent many, many hours talking over our goals and our hearts’ desires. More than once she wondered out loud if she would ever get married…Little did I know how many MORE hours we would spend talking over these matters of the heart as our friendship carried on.

Her time in London, when we met, became a moral crossroads for her. She learned a lot and had to make some very hard decisions. It was the beginning of a pattern for our relationship. I would stand back in awe, on the side lines, shouting out encouragement, as she was put to the test (and by test, I mean the test of life) and watched in admiration as SHE PASSED with FLYING COLORS!

Oh, if I had the time to tell you the epic story of how she met and married her wonderful, wonderful husband, Travis. Never, ever have I seen a couple be put through so much to earn the blessing of being married. On their wedding day I sat in the temple and wept as I watched the two of them. This much I can tell you, this is a powerful, wonderful couple. I love them. I actually crave them sometimes. They are so DARLING together – such a dynamic team. I wish we could be next door neighbors. I really, really do!

Erika has tons and tons of energy. Even when she is tired it seems like she could light an entire city with her energy. She is determined and hard working. She is willing to sacrifice whatever it takes to get the job done. She is also really, really funny! We have shared some serious laughs.

Speaking of laughs – one of the things I love most about Erika is her ability to laugh at her mistakes. She is a wonderful ability to analyze a given situation, and herself in that situation – see it clearly and also see how to go forward. And when it is funny – she laughs about it. Isn’t that cool?!

One of my favorite memories of her is when we were running around London with a frozen turkey and a bunch of potatoes in her carry on suitcase.  THAT WAS NUTS! And so stinkin’ funny! The end result was awesome when we hosted Thanksgiving for about 20 people, thankyouverymuch. But getting that bird around London was NOT easy!

She is PASSIONATE! Deeply, deeply passionate. If there is something that matters to her…SHE CARES! She really, really cares.

She has many, many talents and skills – but the one I would like to mention right now is that she can parallel park an Escalade as though it were a Mini Cooper. And that ain’t small fries, my friends! That is skillz! With a “z”!

The other thing I love and appreciate about Erika is that she is a talker! (And very articulate at that) Do you know what happens when one talker (me) is put together with another talker (Erika)? LOTS OF CONVO, people. We are talking serious conversation! When she and I were last together we talked so much that I think we were still talking as she drove away. Did I run after the car? I think Poor Travis finally had to roll the windows up to get us to STOP.

Erika comes off as being so poised and put together you could never imagine that she is a person who has known and overcome the kind of challenges that would wither and destroy the heart of a lesser person.  Everything about her says, “CHARMED”, but I tell you what – she is real. As real as they come. She has true grit, substance and power. Her greatest power is manifest in her ability to love.

It has been a thing of beauty to see her love poured out upon her son. Never have I known a more devoted mother. She delights in her little boy. DELIGHTS in his every gesture and accomplishment. One time we were talking on the phone and he sneezed in her face and she laughed and said to him, “One day that will be inappropriate, but right now I think that is the CUTEST thing ever!”

The love I have for Erika and the friendship that we share feels to me that it started many, many years before our initial meeting in London in 2006. I think we knew and loved each other LONG before. What do you think, E?

Happy, happy birthday – my dear and wonderful friend! How I love you!

I love you, little monkey!

Although you have recently left us – your influence is still very much felt.

I wanted to let you know of a few things we did, “in your honor”:

The night that you flew back to your home, nestled in the mountain side, we let the girls put on dress-ups and have a dance before going to bed.

Only you will get this joke, but Millie put these on her head and declared:

“MY PANTALONES!”

Oh, how we laughed!

The following day, again, in the “spirit of grandma” we had a birthday party for this guy,

Millie’s dog, Chase.

I think you would have approved!

Everyone got their own couture hat (including the stuffed dog)

There were candles

And cupcakes for all!

And in case you are wondering – those cupcakes were pretty yummy.

Thanks for inspiring us to have more fun around here.

We love you

and

still miss you…

So! When are you coming back?

lives over 2,000 miles away from me.

To coin a phrase,

“That ain’t right.”

But thanks to modern air travel we get to see each other once and a while. Not nearly as much as we’d like, but I wont complain…too much.

She was just here, and can I tell you something – I have made a discovery about her,

She. is. magic.

While she was with us she:

taught primary, and had everyone in the palm of her little hand

took care of my children in the morning so that I could sleep in

shoveled  tons of snow while Jan was away on a business trip

did ALL our laundry – folded it, put it away and IRONED everything!

read to Millie, laughed with Millie, taught her about science, philosophy, imagined all kinds of crazy things with her, made up games with her

She watched Millie and Clara overnight so that Jan and I could escape for a while

She made sure that she took care of her other New York based relations – going into town to watch John-o, while Cam and Nikks went to the temple. Then she visited for an afternoon with Allison. Then took the train home with her son in law, Jan and they talked all the way!

Not to mention she talked with me for hours and hours, helped me re-arrange furniture, went with me to the mall, took a date with me into the City where we found some fabric for a sister’s future wedding dress

And now….

I really, really miss her.

Come back soon, Grandma!

We miss you too much!!

(Seriously, how CUTE is this woman!!?!!

I love you, mom!

Dear Chief Guy,

you know who you are where you are and why I am writing this you are not here to see what we have been up to whilst you do your thing miles and miles away from not here – which is where you are and it is irrelevant except for the fact that you are not here – which basically means that you are not with us – and that stinks, full stop

So, what do you think of my Faulkner impersonation? Deep. Right?  I always thought anyone could do what he did – but perhaps I am wrong? It is harder than it looks to not use any punctuation and blather on like there is some hidden meaning to what you are saying.

Hmmm.

What I want to know is, do you think when I try to write like Faulkner I am,

a) brilliant

b) annoying

Just checking.

Now on to the report and the photos.

Here’s what you have been missing:

Man, am I GLAD I bought that new tub of Eucerine! So is Clara.

You lucky dog, you have missed yet another snow storm ENTIRELY.

It has been okay because my mom, aka THE ROCK STAR has been here

And apparently the three Nephites are landscapers for our next door neighbors. They took pity on us poor females and shoveled the drive way with their big bad plow! Can you believe it?! SO KIND!

At any rate the girls were loving the snow

I on the other hand was VERY bummed out by the snow. I had arranged a whole day in the city – just me and the previously mentioned rock star relation – but had to cancel due to the snow.

When the going gets sad I go ahead and make SOUFFLE (thanks to dear AJ’s recipe – some of the sadness was alleviated)

It don’t look super appetizing, but you have had more than one of these so even though the camera on my phone is rummy – you know how good these suckers are.

Let Millie’s reaction be a witness to it’s deliciousness!

That night before bed Grandma, Millie & Clara cooked up a surprise for me.

A PERFORMANCE where the costumes were worn over their jammies, and Grandma provided a curtain which Clara and Millie used to their full advantage!

If you weren’t missing us before, I know you are missing us now!

Today was the Valentine’s party as Millie’s school. We walked through the door and sat down in the entry way to examine her loot.

Later in the day we watched a  romantic movie

Can you tell what it is?

How about now?

It was swell and inspired much mirth and you’ll never believe it –

D A N C I N G!

So that is the news with us.

Clara would like to send you a special message via her balloons,

Read it and weep

because we are weeping without you.

P.S. We hope that despite the fact that you are working very hard that you will stop and take time to

LICK THE FLOWERS!

oxox,

Lize, Millie & Clara

After all that goodness it was hard to believe that the best was yet to come. But the very best was waiting for us – just a 20 minute drive away – at the Draper temple.

The temple is on the mountainside looking out over the valley below. It is an impressive location and a beautiful place.

The rooms where the weddings take place have super high ceilings. Being in the room itself made me feel so exultant. I think we needed a room that big and a ceiling that high – it seemed the perfect place to match the height of our emotions.

I cannot tell you how handsome my brother looked – there aren’t words. It is a beauty that comes when one is lit from within. To me he has never looked more handsome.

And the bride – oh, the bride! she was the same – as though light was pouring out of her.

I will forever remember them, side by side, looking like true royalty – BEAMING with a light that touched every last one of us.

After the ceremony, as per tradition, the wedding party waits for the bride and groom to come out of the temple as husband and wife.

Chas had something special planned…

At least I have never seen anything like it before!

Let me offer a little explanation. This wasn’t just fun. (Although it was really fun.) It has significance for Sam and Chas. My bro, a much reformed “weak hugger” loves to pick Sam up and give her a spinning hug.

Sam is an artist and painted this for him as a gift, when they were dating.

The writing is in Italian and it is something that Chas often says to Sam, which translates to, “I want good for you always.” They fell in love under shooting stars.

Now, tell me – is that not the sweetest?!!?When I first saw this painting it brought tears to my eyes. It would melt even the coldest heart, methinks!

Here they are! Mr. & Mrs Charles Kelly!

The little flower girls looked lovely – despite being absolutely miserable in the cold – they held it together pretty well.

Clara’s momentary happiness would soon fade into…

…full on CRUSTIES!

She was looking at Jan pleadingly, as I removed her coat, as if to say, “Dad, you’re sensible – are you going to let her do this to me?!?”

Lest you think me a totally cruel mother, willing to expose her daughter the “elements” for a few cheap photos.  Crusty Clara was not with us long.

Once she warmed up she was happy again. See photographic evidence below:

I am both sad and relieved that I don’t have more photos of the wedding to show you.

Sad, because I bet you’d like to see some more, I would too. But this is all I have. Once the professional photographer showed up we weren’t allowed to take any more photos. And we had to be in a bunch of them as well.

Relieved because now I don’t feel like I have to post a billion photos at this current time because that last post there were a million pictures to choose from and it took me three days to load them up and post them.

As I have an “in” with bride and groom so as soon as they have more pictures of the wedding I promise to hit them up for a few that I can post here for your viewing pleasure.

Until then, this is all I’ve got.

Dear recent celebrators of birthdays in the month of January,

In case you come around here looking for your tribute and you cannot find it. If you read this, it will remind you where you can find it.

Due to your wonderfulness  these tributes are LONG and so I only keep my immediate family’s tributes up on the main page (even tributes for my beloved in-laws are kept in this new spot).  Please know that you are still loved and adored. Just in a different spot of my blog.

P.S. Chas lest you think that I have forgotten your birthday, I have not! I have been much consumed with documenting your recent nuptials and hence, focusing my efforts on your wedding. I hope that is okay with you.

Day two:

The morning following the reception a.k.a. “the love fest” our immediate families gathered for lunch at a new restaurant that has recently opened in Provo called, Communal. This place is divine dining. I make particular mention of it because  it was not a mere back drop in the festivities, it was an active participant.

Soon this beautiful table

would be made all the more beautiful by these wonderful people seated around it

wonderful, wonderful, and most wonderful of all…

the reason for gathering,

our very own,

bride and groom

“I’ll drink* to that!”says I.

(*totally looks like booze, but I assure you the highness we felt was heaven sent and cannot be found in a bottle)

And when I said that the restaurant itself was a part of what made this event so wonderful – just look at this food!

If I could have the wish of my heart I would call each one of you (yes, YOU reading this right now) and I would say, “Meet me at 100 University Ave – I’ve booked us a table at Communal!” and you would say, “SWEET!” and we would sit together and we would eat and we would feel very, very happy!

These guys worked so hard – and I love ’em! Dearest Communal – I adore you and you have my vote if ever you should choose to run for an elected office. Colton and crew – thank you, thank you, thank you!

This next series of pictures I like to call “mix & match” family, now that we are all related I hate to “sort” people into his & hers families — thanks to the bride and groom we are all one big happy family!

There were speeches, toasts, and musical numbers.

For me, this one of the most wonderful parties I have ever attended.

Since the wedding I have been thinking a lot about what made this day possible.

I thought about the decision the Cards made 15 years ago to move to New York – this was a bold and courageous move. They knew, by the Spirit, that they were supposed to move to New York, despite not having a job lined up or a place to live.  But Mike and Liesa had made a pattern of following the Lord, even when He seemed to be calling them to the very precipice – they went! Their courage to follow the Lord’s prompting  would lead to our families becoming friends.

I thought this morning about Sam as I came across a book I’d sent to her last year. I’d sent it to her when she was really suffering, having followed the revelation she’d been given by the Lord, which was very hard to follow. I remember praying for her and thinking of all she was going through. I remember asking the Lord to bless her.

How could I have known when I asked for her to be blessed that it would in turn bless my brother and my whole family  with so much happiness?!

Truly, amazing.

When we follow the guidance the Lord sends to us — no matter how hard it might be — we have NO IDEA how much those good choices will bless our own life and the lives of those we love.

It is both sobering and remarkable to consider the impact of our choices.

This day makes me want to follow more carefully the promptings the Lord sends to me. I know that if I do MIRACLES will be the result.

Thank you Sam and Chas for choosing to follow the Lord…I am so glad that he led you to each other.

I am so happy!

Was a blast!

We arrived early, but were still late, because we are the Kelly family. I think it is in our DNA.The idea was that we would assemble to take a few family photos. You know, the regular. Luckily, despite our lateness the bride was still getting ready when we arrived.

My dad made the bride’s bouquet and Chas held onto it while he waited for his lovely bride to emerge from the dressing room.

It was the sweetest thing, because every time anyone walked through the door he hoped it would be her…

Ah, me! Is ANYTHING sweeter or better than YOUNG LOVE?

Nope!

When she finally walked through the door, Chas was a happy man (you can’t see his expression here, but trust me, he was happy!)

HOLY Babe-ness! Check out that fine woman on my brother’s arm!

Here is the deal. The Kelly and the Card families have known each other  for years. This means we share many loved ones in common. We know their friends and family – and we love them. They know our friends and family – and love them. So this party was, in my opinion, what I imagine heaven will feel like.

People kept streaming through the door that we ALL LOVE!

Me loves, you loves, you loves, me loves  – it was, quite simply, a love fest!

Now, onto the wardrobe. Recall if you will the many trips to the mall that were taken to find the bride’s wedding colors.

Many friends have asked me how it all turned out. I even got an email that weekend from someone asking me, “SO?! What did you wear?”

Here’s how it all came together. Upon arrival all the Kelly sisters (minus Allison – boo, hoo!) congregated in my parents bedroom and we put all our clothes in a pile and started to figure out who would wear what. It was a little nuts, but I hope you will agree that the results were pretty awesome!

Kelly Sisters minus beloved in-laws

Card Sisters (minus Hailey – boo-hoo! – who is currently serving a mission)

All sisters join to pay homage to the bride. (A bride worthy of such homage, I might add.)

More Kelly sisters

Card Family

Kelly Family (minus Ben and Ian and Allison, who hadn’t arrived)

Bride and Groom with their parents

So, we did the best we could with these family pictures despite the fact that a small portion of the Kelly family weren’t even off the airplane when they were taken. And Jan doesn’t relish taking pictures with a nasty old flash (flash we are grateful for you but we prefer Mr. Golden Sun) but as ever,  Jan was a good sport.

And speaking of good, may I say that

good times were had.

I assure you!

Have a peek:

Happy mother-in-law, Khaliel with arms around beloved daughter-in-law, Allison

Linds’ labor of love, or “the wedding cake”

Classic Bette and Tess!

The Presidency of the Kenneth Branagh Appreciation society reunited after 15 years

The Freedmans (whom I heart)! Who doesn’t!?!

Rose and Liz enjoy the company.

Cake maker in all her glory! Piping on the finishing touches.

Cam and John

Baby Betta

Cutie-pies Sara & Michael

Aunt Gerry & Uncle Kent

Brynn Bethany Zimmer

There are more photos capturing the happiness felt on this wonderful night – but there is yet more to tell so I am off to write the next post.

STAY TUNED

for more of

Chas & Sam’s wonderful wedding weekend!

Still to come –

the family lunch

and actual wedding,

we didn’t just party – they actually tied the knot!