10/12/2003 08:53:29 PM|||Ellen|||Blessed Birth, Blessed Matrimony ...

I know you wanna hear the labor story and it's a good one .... but I have to live in the now for a moment and bask in the warm and cheery afterglow of a wedding gone well. Renee got married over the weekend to her wonderful fantastic man - Luis Gonzales. Rudy's Val said it best when she said that every detail was so unique and thoughtful. I had two favorite things - Pastor Matty giving a rousing and educational sermon filled with love but breaking it down for folks. I really appreciate people who are able to share God's love and teaching without being pushy or preachy. Matt is so warm and real that Scripture is simple, and part of everyday life. I love that and it was sooooo appropriate for Nay and Luis. They are the total embodiment of good and growing Christians, real people following the Lord. That rocked!

The other thing that tickled me where the cutie flower table numbers. I told you already Nay, but those were SO worth the time and no sleep! Sweet. And it was the best to see all our friends in one place again. Wow how far we've come - Joyce has two beyond adorable kids - how blonde and beautiful is Alyssa?!? and Nathan is a big guy .... and Rose's Josua is a huge chunk of 4 month old. Who would have ever known he was a preemie either?? I wanted to carry around a life size color pic of Ryan with me, but settled for snuggling with Josh for a bit. And the best is Shy and her very very Catherine Zeta Jones pregnancy. She is just a beautiful girl. And her family is amazing. Mommy Cynthia looks like one of the sisters and Auntie Fely got her slide on as the night drew to a close. Ahhhhhhh.....

So many happy moments, just watching all the Jubilee girls getting their groove on at the reception like it was City Nights ( okay, you know I'm hecka old already), Seeing Grandma Gonzales and Mommy Wong dancing nonstop and everyone filling the entire gorgeous hall with fun and laughter and good times. All of it, all of trials and tantrums, the emotion and effort was worth it. It was perfect.

And I totally felt like it was definitely a celebration party for me too! Since Ryan has been born, I have had boundless energy and seem to surprise everyone whenever I show up anywhere. And we danced all night and chatted with all the friends and family throughout the reception. The best was talking to Luis and Grace and really really feeling like part of their family. Luis really made me wanna cry again (after bawling at the opening of the ceremony nonstop and quite audibly - sorry bridesmaids!)

|||106601718078448763|||Blessed ...