Arthur and BF are married!

Arthur and BF are married. For one week now, actually. They are on their way back from their honeymoon in the Bahamas, as we speak!

That means BF (boyfriend) needs a new name. Now he will be SIL (Son-in-law).

Last Friday me and Hubster loaded up the SUV and Courage's car with boxes of wedding stuff, luggage, suits and dresses, snacks, and four girls and headed to South Georgia. We stopped about half way and ate at Subway and DQ. We arrived at the White House Bed and Breakfast in Montezuma at around 2:30 in the afternoon. We were greeted by Ms. Yoder, the Mennonite lady who is co-owner of the B&B there. She was wonderfully sweet. She immediately took us upstairs to to our rooms, which were decorated so pretty and homey, and soon she baked us a plate full of home-made chocolate chip pecan cookies.

After bringing up all our stuff, then exploring the house and grounds, we loaded up and headed out to Ideal Baptist Church, where the kids were getting married, for the rehearsal dinner, and rehearsal.

SIL's family treated us to roast turkey, green beans, potato salad, and several other good dishes. We got to meet the groomsmen and SIL's grandparents. Rehearsal went fine and soon we were back at the B&B to get some rest. We thought we would be bored with no t.v. or radios. But the girls had fun goofing off in their rooms, and me and the Hubster were so tired, we went to bed early.

The next morning the girls got up at 5:30am and starting getting ready. First, they had to shower and dry their hair. Mrs. Yoder brought up a most wonderful breakfast at 6:45am. She made thick slices of country ham, home baked bread, scrambled eggs, the best grits I'd ever tasted, a bowl of fruit, and home made cream cheese croissant pastries. And add REAL butter and homemade strawberry jam. It was so delicious.

After eating, the girls headed out to His and Hers Hair Salon where Ms. P and her crew coiffed and beautified the girls. In the meantime, Hubster and I were showering, dressing, and then loading up every one's stuff. We arrived at the church about 10:30am and started helping set things up for the wedding.

The girls all arrived at about 11:00am or so, and they all begin to get dressed. We had a little scare with the wedding gown, as we could not find the special snap the seamstress added to the halter strap, but Aunt Pam came to the rescue and fixed it all up! Now the bride was ready, and she and the groom began the long, arduous ordeal of all the photograph taking.

After two hours of photographs, arranging flowers, helping girls with this and that, and making sure everyone knew where they were supposed to be, it was time to begin the wedding. The guests had arrived and were treated to a slide show of the wedding couple featuring pictures from the time they were little babies up until their engagement and wedding showers. Also, the harpist played while they were being seated.

Finally, the grandmother was seated, then the groom's mom, and then me. Arthur's little brother did a wonderful job serving as usher. Hubster and I didn't trip and fall while lighting the candle, that was an accomplishment! I cried when I saw Arthur, on Hubster's arm, coming down the aisle. It's a moment you can't believe is happening, when it does happen. Even though, 27.4 years ago, when she was born, I knew this day would come. SIL was waiting at the alter for her, and he looked as handsome as she was beautiful.

SIL sang to Arthur as part of the ceremony; there was barely a dry eye in the house! He sang Alan Jackson's, 'I'll be here', and he did a wonderful job!

At last, they said their vows, and became husband and wife. The rest is a blur, as everyone filed out and walked back to the fellowship hall for the reception of ham croissants, a really neat veggie 'tree', finger sandwiches and all kinds of goodies. SIL's family did a good job 'hosting' the wedding. They really wanted SIL to be married in the church he grew up in, and since that is 3 hours away from where we live, unfortunately, they got the brunt of the work.

After the cake was cut, the bouquet thrown and bubbles blown, the bride and groom changed clothes and climbed into the car (that the groomsmen decorated quite well) and headed off in into the sunset to celebrate their new beginning.

And Courage caught the bouquet! (oh, me).