-B&C

Today we begin CELEBRATION WEEK IN OCTOBER

Happy Anniversary to Brian and Cheri. They were married two years ago today.

Like today, it was a beautiful autumn day. We were in Tennessee and enjoyed the drive across the state.

It had been a tough week for Brian and Cheri. They were all joy and excitement as they moved their bits of furniture and gifts into the cute apartment they rented, just across the street from Brian's work place. It was fun to watch them plan until.....well you know how it goes--the last one hired is the first to go during tough times. October of 2008 is when all financial woes exploded and it hit our family through Brian's new job.

After a heartfelt discussion with his future father in law and a deeper discussion with his bride to be, it was decided to go ahead and get married, let the apartment go and have faith that things would work out. Sometimes it is easier to face the hard things together.

While Brian and Cheri were on their honeymoon my mother and I worked hard to turn the guest house/shed/bachelor pad into a honeymoon cottage. That is where they have lived for two years now. Work prospects are still not glowing, but they have sufficient for their needs and I never hear complaints.

Brian and Cheri have turned into a very happy couple. They enjoy each others company and have fun together. We enjoy their company here at home as well.

We had a little reception for Brian and Cheri here in NC that was well attended after their wedding and reception in TN. They have many people in their lives that love them and wish them well. Brian is a much happier man now that he has Cheri in his life.

This last week they purchased bicycles and have been having fun exploring the byways of our area. They enjoy exercising on their wii fit and cooking together. They do their laundry together and keep the bathroom clean enough.

Now I ask, what more could a mother want for her youngest child?? Nothing--except maybe the opportunity for them to live in a cottage that also has plumbing!! Everything in due time.

Happy Anniversary, Brian and Cheri. May you continue to smile and enjoy your relationship as much as or more than you do now. We love you.

Happy Birthday

Two people special to me have their birthday today--my mom and my daughter in law, Cheri. My mom taught me many amazing things over the years but first and foremost she taught me how to be a wife and for that I am most thankful.

Cheri has taught me to smile when it rains.

Cheri is married to my youngest, Brian. Brian studied to be a welder and got a job not too long before they were to get married--just before the economic crunch hit. They got married in October 2008 at the peak of the big drop. Unfortunately you know how it goes--the last one hired is the first to go. Well Brian received that devastating news the week they were to get married so they had to move out of their cute apartment before they even moved in--so sad.

On our property we have a shed we call the guest house--a 10x15 room that has electricity and no plumbing. Our 20 something aged boys liked to stay out there to prove that they were on their own. It has a refrigerator and microwave, TV, dresser, bed and minimal hanging space. While Brian and Cheri were on their honeymoon my mom and I worked to turn the guest house into a honeymoon cottage. We cleaned it out of boy junk and arranged it for newly weds as best we could for a room without plumbing.

Cheri has been living in the cottage now for a year and a half. Every night in the middle of the night--rain, snow, sleet and heat--she trudges in to use the plumbing the big house offers. She has never complained, never grouched, never been upset. She just smiles.

Last week Brian and Cheri had to cancel their trip to Tennessee to visit her family because of the snow. I heard Brian say to her that he was sorry he wasn't able to take her home like they had planned. Cheri kissed him and said "I am home".

James M. Barrie had this to say:

The secret of happiness is not in doing what one likes,
but in liking what one has to do.

Happy Birthday Mom
Happy Birthday Cheri

I love you