Christine Bennee, June, Wedding!!

June was a whole lot of crazy for me.  First of all, I got a new job...just for the summer.  What happened is this.  My shy, never had close friends, never put herself  "out there" 14 year old tried out for the color guard with a friend and made it. I learned that school sports/activities can be very demanding and intense and very expensive.  The fees for her costumes, parade shoes, flags, bus fees, 3 WEEKS of color guard camp, etc. were close to $800.  Also, Westlake High School marching band is going to HAWAII in December as the Utah representative for the annual Pearl Harbor Parade.  Another $869 plus the cost of the flight.  The trip is optional, but how cool for her to go!  Anyway, my husband (the one who generally takes care of the money) reminded/informed me that since we just had to buy 2 new (to us) cars and put in a fence (HOA rule) and pay for a wedding (more about that in a minute) that there was no way we could afford for her to participate.  However, there was no way I was going to tell her that she couldn't do the one thing she actually wanted to try based on money.  Where there's a will, there's a way, right?  So the night of said money conversation I filled out an application for Walmart and was hired the next morning.  I've been working 4 graveyard shifts a week stocking shelves and organizing.  It is work, but the organizing (or "zoning" as they call in in WalMart speak) is quite relaxing...I get paid to put things away and straighten up :)  And I've been brushing up on some rusty Spanish skills by speaking with several of the employees.  The deal I made with Melanie is that while I sleep in the day, she needs to do the things I would normally do (clean, make sure her 2 younger siblings are fed and accounted for, laundry, etc).  Initially she wanted to quit.  I think she felt bad that I was working and to be honest, color guard is hard work.  She has had to be at the high school at 7:30 AM so many mornings this summer I've lost track and marched in more parades than I can remember.  She is in her 2nd of 3 weeks straight of color guard/band camp so they can be ready for football field shows and competition.  But it has been completely worth it.  It is incredible how much she has matured with all of her new responsibility and grown in confidence. And although I like my job, I put in my notice this morning and am pretty happy about it.

It's a big group--and this pic doesn't even have the band kids

I think this is from the Saratoga Springs parade..they go on for a loooong time-it takes a while for the whole band to march past!

That's Melanie right in front

My other kids have not complained once about going to a dozen or so parades this summer.  Maybe it's something about the bags of candy they bring home?!?

Which brings me to my actual goal for June.  My oldest got engaged in April and they struggled setting a wedding date.  Finally they decided on a day in September.  Then the day after my very first day at work, my daughter informed me that September was too far away and they were going to get married on June 21. That was less than 3 weeks away!
So the rest of June is pretty much a blur to me.  I didn't get much sleep and I stressed alot but the wedding turned out very nice.  

These are from the bridal shower...awesome Nora even came and let me hold that cutie baby of hers (but I don't have a pic! :(  )

These are the "bridals".  It had been raining all day and they were going to Butterfield canyon with the photographer.  I suggested that they reschedule so her dress wouldn't get muddy.  Not only did she disregard my wise motherly advise,but she did this:

Oh, yes she did. And fell in a muddy stream and ripped her dress.  I made her clean/fix it herself.  Honestly, I don't know where she gets it from.  It must be her father's side of the family ;)

 They had a reception in West Jordan on Friday night, then got married Saturday afternoon in Ogden followed by a dinner then another reception in North Ogden.  I have told the rest of my children that I never want to do that again and they are all forbidden from getting married.  Unless of course I get more than 3 weeks to completely plan the wedding.

A last note about what I have learned from having my first child get married.  First of all, getting a son-in-law is the best.  He came all grown up and mature and returned missionary and wonderful.  People have asked if we like him and our tongue-in-cheek response is that we think we like him more than we like our daughter.  That's because we didn't have to raise him; we got him when he was finished. And his name is Jared Bunn so we have lots of fun with "now you are the brother of Jared" jokes and "are you going to name your first child Cinna or Honey?"  get it?  :)  The best part is the slight change from parent to peer.  Of course I will always be her mom, but the responsibility to guide, teach, advise, help, support, etc. is mostly gone.  She is so much easier to talk to and be friends with now and our relationship has never been better.