Love, joy, forgiveness, and family

This weekend was full of jammed packed plans and things to do.  First and foremost, Melanie flew into town!  I love it when she comes into town.  It's been great the past couple weeks because I just saw her two weeks ago in California.  I got to spend all weekend with her :) The reason why she was in town for my cousin's wedding. 

Melanie and I planned on putting on a family bridal shower for her the day before her wedding because all of the family would be in town.  We got thinking, well, why kill two birds with one stone and combine the bridal shower with a baby shower for me because everyone will be in town. It was perfect.  Twice the fun and laughs.  

My mom made this fruit salad in honor of me, how weird and cute it is all at the same time.  Thanks mom, I love you!

We got a picture of the bridal/baby shower group.  

I'm not a huge fan of shower games, but we had to test my mothering skills.  The challenge was to hold and rock the baby, talk on the phone, holding and pinning clothes to a clothes line, and keep the binky in the baby's mouth.  We timed it and I sucked.  My time was 1:36, my Aunt Nancy, who's had seven kids was my challenger and she finished in 46 seconds.  She's had a lot of practice.  It looks like I'm crying.

Me opening up gifts.  I was so floored by how generous my family is.  

Later that evening we went to Jessica's Bachelorette party at The Melting Pot.  Melanie and I scarfed this down.  

Melanie and Jessica

For long as I can imagine I've always looked forward to my cousin Jessica to get married.  She is the epitome of the perfect girl.  She's beautiful, smart, fun, talented, strong in the church and in the gospel, and is always so happy.  I can't imagine how hard it would be in your mid thirties, single, LDS, and living in Utah. Everyday you're reminded how you're not married and don't have a family of your own and wanting that so desperately.  The one thing I love about Jessica is never once did I ever hear her complain about not being married.  She always has such a positive and loving attitude about everything.  She's the one person in my life who I think deserves the most to be married and to be a wife and mother.  At the age of 34 she found Raymon, a man who's handsome, smart, genuine, kind, strong in the church, and overall a great guy who could take her to the temple.  That is a rarity in itself.

The ceremony was short and sweet.  There wasn't a dry eye in the crowd or someone not snuffling.  I remember thinking, everything she dreamed, wanted, and wished for is coming true this day.  What a joyous and beautiful day this is!

 I love this picture of them coming out of the temple.  You see so much joy in their eyes and the love they have for each other.     

My grandma and grandpa have been divorced for over 40 years.  I know it was the hardest thing my grandma ever had to endure.  My grandma and my seven aunts and uncles were abandoned by my grandpa  after 20 years of marriage.  I can't imagine how overwhelming, sad, and devastated that would be.  My grandpa made a lot of mistakes in his life, and has had to live the consequences of those decisions he made. Forgiveness is so important in our lives. I know I could be better about forgiving and forgetting.  Forgiveness is probably one of the most important gits Heavenly Father has given to us.  My grandpa wasn't around much when I was young, so I was never really close to him, but as I've gotten older, I've come to realize we're all human and make stupid mistakes.  Why not forgive and forget and just love.  Now, I look forward to seeing my grandpa and I love him very much. 

I love it how my grandma and grandpa can be in the same room together, be cordial, pleasant, and sweet towards each other.  Even though their both remarried and have moved on, you can still feel the love they have for each other because they were able to create seven wonderful people (all of my aunts and uncles and mom of course).  Because of that I think that's why they share that same respect for each other.  I don't think I've ever had a picture of both of my grandparents together, so during the reception, I asked them if I could.  

Winston got a much needed haircut.

Sunday night around midnight, this what the Killpack family looked like.  Tired.