The Most Beautiful Flowergirl

We've had a very busy week and weekend. My niece and Goddaughter Crystal and her new husband Will got married this weekend in Dubuque, IA. Congratulations to an awesome couple! Gracie had the very special honor of being their flowergirl and I was honored with being a reader at the wedding. My biggest fear was that Gracie would come down with some ailment, as she catches things so easily. Lots of prayers were said...and answered. On Friday morning, we got in the van with our healthy young lady and headed to pick up my parents for a 4 hour road trip to Dubuque. Another fear was that Gracie would act up on the drive as she HATES to ride and now we would have passengers. My mother assured me that she had 7 children, she could handle it. To my surprise Gracie was an angel in the car. She did great and even slept for an hour both ways.

We weren't quite sure if Gracie would walk down the aisle or not. She didn't quite understand the whole concept of a flowergirl. What she did understand is that it was a weekend filled with an awesome family who loves her and treats her like a princess. On Friday night at practice we were still unsure if she would walk up, but we practiced with her. Then we headed to a beautiful setting for the rehearsal supper, a winery set in the hills about 20 miles out of Dubuque. It was a beautiful evening and we were able to eat outside. All of us but Gracie that is. She was so tired that she refused to eat. She wanted NOTHING to do with Jeff or I, and just wanted to have her cousins take turns walking with her everywhere. Her cousins were wonderful to her, even though she was quite demanding in her tiredness. Another highlight of her evening was the winery cat. She was so excited to see him.

On Saturday morning we headed to the hair salon. Gracie had way too much visiting and checking the place out to sit still. When it came time to do her hair, she would not sit for the hairdresser. I quickly decided to have my niece stay with her and I disappeared. That was the magic we needed...she then sat and cooperated quite nicely. Her hair was done beautifully and the hairdresser gets mega points for doing so well with a child who has never even had her hair cut. I was able to watch the process through the magic of mirrors. We headed back to the hotel from there and Gracie took a 30 minute nap on my shoulder (we couldn't take the risk of messing up her hair). Then to the church where she decided she needed to be by the bride and groom...how perfect that they were able to snap pictures when she was cooperative. She did get mad at one point and throw her basket of flowers on the floor spilling water and greenery everywhere. Gracie did NOT walk up all by herself as planned, the maid of honor (thank you Julie and Grant) and best man took her up with them. Then when she was supposed to get in the pew with me, she made a break for it and the groom had to remove her from the front of the church and return her to me. This is what memories are made of right?

After the wedding, Gracie got in a nap before the reception. She ate a pretty good supper, which I was relieved at, because there was so much happening this weekend that she was not a very good eater. When the dance began, that is when Gracie was the happiest. She was in her glory dancing to great music. At one point she was the center of attention in the middle of the floor with everyone dancing around her. As someone who has very little rhythm, I'm quite proud that Gracie DEFINITELY has rhythm. All that dancing with daddy has paid off. We finally removed our tired girl from the dance floor at about 10:00 p.m. (way past her bedtime). She would lay her head on my shoulder and I was sure she was falling asleep, then she would hear music, lift her head and start moving her head to the music. She is definitely motivated by music. She slept pretty good.

This morning she slept in til about 7:00 a.m. and then we headed to breakfast and gift opening with the family. She enjoyed taking her cousins for more walks. Thank you to each and every one who took her on walks. She really didn't want much to do with Jeff or I this weekend and could be very demanding when she didn't get her way. I think being overstimulated had a bit to do with this, but other than wanting constant attention, she did great for being out of her routine.

Tonight when we got home after being in the car for so long, she just wanted to play outside. We did so for quite awhile. She was so tired by 8:00 p.m. and is now snoozing peacefully.

Love,

Lisa, Jeff, and the most beautiful flowergirl Gracie