Garrett and Rhada's wedding pictures

I felt a need to post more from the wedding day. What a prefect day!

Hannah Cate NeSmith

Rachel had not had an easy pregnancy. She had high blood pressure and was told that Hannah may be induced at 37 weeks, November 23rd. I told her no, I would still have Chicago grandsons visiting. As it was she was able to go a while longer.
Rachel's mother-in-law, Kathy, is an RN. She took Rachel's blood pressure on Sunday night November 28th. It was high so they went to the hospital. We were told that she would be induced at 6 in the morning. LeGrand and I took our own cars since I knew I would want to stay and LeGrand needed to be back Tuesday. We, along with Stephen's entire family, including his grandmother, sat in the waiting room. We would get updates from time to time. At 4:50 or so, Kathy suggested a family prayer. We walked to a secluded spot and Steve, Hannah's other grandpa, offered a sweet prayer. As we were walking back to the waiting room, my phone rang. I could not make out what was being said on the other line and then it dawned on me that it was Stephen telling us the time was at hand. I put it on speaker and us girls gathered around. Then in unison screamed "she is here!" and the tears rolled and texting began. What JOY!!!!

 Hannah is here!!!!

 So alert and ready to learn and teach!

 Bundled in Aunt Robyn's hat and booties.

 Mom and Dad happy to have Hannah home for her first night. And what a night to not remember!!! Hannah got to sleep in her bed at 5:05 am!

 Hannah basking in natural sunlight in her own sunroom at home.

Bundled and tucked in snug for her first doctor's appointment.

I helped around the house that Stephen and Rachel had purchased November 8th. I put the stroller together. I tried to sleep on the couch but got spooked and did not sleep much. It was a windy night. The next day I helped get all their remaining stuff from their apartment, visited for a while at the hospital and returned to Tuscaloosa. I went back to Montgomery Wednesday to help them get out of the hospital. I was the photographer. Hannah came home on Wednesday and had to return to the hospital Friday. She had jaundice and needed treatment under the lights. I worried for her and Rachel. I came home to get Garrett and Rhada's wedding announcements (that had come 2 weeks late!) ready for the mail. I worried so about both Hannah and Rachel, as Rachel was still quite swollen and pressure still up. I was afraid she was not going to be able to rest.

LeGrand and I went to see them on Sunday. When we walked in and saw Rachel in a hospital bed with her feet higher than her heart and Hannah a step away in her isolet, I knew all was well. They were both getting what they needed. 

Hark! The herald angels sing!

Rhada and I returned this past Tuesday. Rachel is gaining her strength. Hannah is gaining weight. Stephen is a proud papa and a great help and support. 

Could it be that I have more pictures of Hannah than my other just a precious grandsons? It could be that she is a girl and I love pink and she does live in ALABAMA!

Garrett marries Rhada Atkinson

The first post tells a lot of the wedding weekend of Garrett and Rhada. An Open House was held in their honor on December 11th. Also on that day we had the Dollar Family Christmas Party. Both events were here at the house.
Garrett had requested Pete Densmore's fried turkey and Robyn's cranberry sauce. He also said he wanted all the other Christmas goodies that I make during the holidays. I did. Many people helped to get everything looking good. I think my house looked better than it ever had before. We had a wonderful day.

 All the grands and grands-in-love and great grands. Bev had 100% of her grandchildren in attendance. I had 0.

 Emmy Stockman, who introduced Garrett and Rhada, made Rhada a wonderful cake of cherry cordials, Rhada's favorite candy.

Lance marries Katie Glaze

Lance and Katie met at the beach when they were about 14. They stayed in touch with email and managed to continue their relationship through college. High school sweethearts and more!

 Here we are with Katie's mom, Linda, at the Square. 

Lance gave Katie her ring when he went to Oxford in September. I took a road trip with Katie to Oxford to search for venues in October 2009. Katie's friend was very concerned that Katie would spend 3 hours on the road with me and Lance not with us! We had a blast!
There was much planning with the church, the reception, bridesmaid dresses, invitations, honeymoon, etc. It was fun to be involved even though I was just the mother of the groom! There was also much worry with the save-the-dates, bridal gown fitting, menus and after rehearsal dinner, not to mention the couple's video and family song dedications. LeGrand says I strive on stress and maybe he is right. I loved every minute of it. I was also honored when Katie asked me to take their engagement pictures. There was one good one.

Rachel hosted a Bridal Shower for Katie.

The wedding weekend was full of events with a Rehearsal Dinner on Friday night and Bridesmail luncheon on Saturday. The guys went to the golf course.

The day of the wedding was a hot one. We were glad we had gotten fans for favors. But everything went as planned and everyone had a wonderful time. Some more wonderful than others. After the ceremony the wedding guests walked to the 512 House for the reception. After pictures, Katie and Lance and their attendants walked down the middle of the street to greet their friends and family.