Cousin/Sister {+Michele} Christmas luncheon

Many of you know I used to be a caregiver for the most wonderful lady and during my years of caring for her became quite involved and attached to her amazing family! Her family spent many hours with their mom, grandma and aunt and so consequently I spent many hours with them. Her grandchildren and I became the best of friends! I remember {secretly} wondering if our friendship would remain as strong after their Grandma passed away but I had nothing to worry about!  Our friendships have not only remained but grown stronger and I look forward to many years and cherished memories ahead.

One of my most favorite events is a Christmas luncheon held by her granddaughter Cami. It is a cousin/sister lunch and I was invited last year. It was truly beautiful and perfect in every way. I did not assume that I would be invited this year so when I received my invite
 I WAS ECSTATIC!!!

The luncheon was the day before a big Christmas show 3 Craft Chicks participated in so that meant a big day of set up!  Did that stop me? NO WAY!!! I went up to Southhill and dropped off my "stuff" and did alittle bit of unpacking and then hopped in my car and headed out to Liberty Lake to Cami's. Got to Cami's and was immediately transported into her
WINTER WONDERLAND!!!

Pretty PINK Christmas decor ~ so lovely!!!

Just absolutely love me my Cami!

YUMMY FOOD ~ Spokane Club Salad & their Grandma's bean salad

Their Grandma's {delicious} chicken casserole ~ such comfort food!

Their Grandma's one of a kind cheesecake ~ served on Fostoria dishes

Flocked tree with Cami's grandma's pink ornaments

The start of Cami's wonderful SANTA collection!

The BIG Tree ~ glass & old world Christmas ornaments ~ so pretty!

Pink kissing ball

 The SKATERS ~ a  favorite that had been her Grandma's!

Asian themed tree ~ love!

Skiier ornament tree {all ornaments given by her Grandma through the yrs.}

FRIENDS FOR LIFE! Kathy & Cami ~ love them bunches!

LOVE!!!These 3! Watch out when they are together!

Dani, Terri, Rachael, Kathy, Cami & Shelly ~ COUSINS & SISTERS!

Gathered around the table!

Lovely aluminum tree with beautiful shiny brite ornaments!

Can you tell how much fun we were having? Laughed so hard that day!!!

LAUGHTER IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL!!! for SURE!!!

Perfect & beautiful tablescape!

Felt stocking made by Cami's grandma years ago...!

Family heirlooms are the best!

Orange felt stocking made by Cami's mom when she was little!

Love this vintage church!

THIS IS MY FAVORITE!!!

This was Cami's Grandma's and the years I cared for her, I helped her put out her Christmas decor! I loved every single thing however this was at the tippy top of my most favorites list!!! I love how this family "does" Christmas ~ like how I "do" Christmas! All the grandchildren have inherited beautiful decorations and family heirlooms and continue to carry on traditions that I KNOW their Grandma would be most proud of!!!

Cami said she would understand if I couldn't have come due to scheduling conflict however there was no way I was going to miss this event! I don't ever want to loose my spot at it! :)

Can you even imagine my surprise when I got a Christmas calendar card in the mail? She used the picture with me in it...I was so humbled and honored!
It made me start crying!!!

This is such an extraordinary group of women that I'm blessed to be part of!!!

Remembering fondly {my} Connie ~

Many of you know I worked as a caregiver for over 4 years with the most phenomenal client named Connie! To say my life was changed the day I met her would be an understatement. She radiated love and gentleness like no other with the most unique balance of sheer strength and determination! I learned so many amazing things from watching her and listening to stories of her long and blessed life of nearly 90 years.

Connie LOVED and ADORED her family! I was so grateful to become part of this most amazing family and have made deep and lasting friendships with many of her loved ones. She was such an incredible wife, mom, grandma, aunt, daughter, sister and friend ~
what an example to me and countless others.

I have never known someone who LONGED to go HOME to HEAVEN and that was her prayer each night especially the last couple years! She felt she had lived such a wonderful life and was just ready! She yearned to see her Lord and be reunited with her beloved husband and her precious daughter whom she had outlived.

I held her hand that morning just one year ago today as she took her last breath here on earth and said a prayer of thanksgiving for the profound blessing and influence Connie was in my life.

a FAIRTALE wedding ~ Sara & Cody

Mr. & Mrs. Cody Hulsizer

One of the many benefits I received from my time working as a caregiver for Comfort Keepers was becoming friends with the family of my beloved client! I had been with my sweet client {CJH} for over 4 years and during that time had built such a special and wonderful relationship with many of her family. One of those family members was her great granddaughter, Sara. She is such a sweet, kind and talented young woman and I always enjoyed spending time with her. Sara is a very courageous person and battled cancer several years ago long before I knew her. She witnessed many friends leave this earth due to cancer yet she never gave up and continues helping young people now as they face the fierce battle of cancer. She is an inspiration to those around her!!!

This is Sara during her chemo ~ look at that light that was still in her beautiful eyes!

I truly admire this amazing individual and am so blessed to call her 

FRIEND!!!

Ashley {Sara's sister}, the BRIDE and me :)

The wedding took place at Rocking K Ranch in Deer Park, WA

on July 15, 2012

It was the perfect place for such an event!

Sara's brother, Christopher escorting their Grandma Marilyn

Grandma Patty, Christopher & Grandpa Sterling

Grandma Sandy

Mother of the Bride ~ my beautiful friend Kathy and her son Chris

It was so perfect when we heard the "clip-clop" of horses only to witness this...

Now for the moment that made all of us guests literally gasp...

HERE COMES THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BRIDE...

{PROUD} Father of the Bride ~ Doug and sweet Sara

The morning of the wedding it was storming {thundering, lightning & raining} however by 5:00 p.m. the storm had passed and blue skies and sunshine prevailed!!!

Ready for their

GREAT ADVENTURE

Her great grandma Connie's Fostoria glasses used for the toast ~

Cake topper ~ perfect since Sara is a photographer!

Reception and other fun parts...

 Sara's sister Ashley & her husband Andrew Ward ~

They are also newlyweds!!! :)

The TOAST...

The CAKE

I had the best time seeing many friends that I had not seen in far too long...

Cami & Shelly ~ Cousins

Such a beautiful wedding!

CONGRATULATIONS TO SARA & CODY!!!