I know that I have been telling some of the stories, funny things that have happened, crazy things that have happened etc... as I have been posting about the wedding! But there are some things I have been waiting for pictures of to tell about. But I just can't wait any longer. So I will tell some highlights now and when and if I ever get pictures I will post in more detail!
At the Utah Wedding Reception one of the highlights for me was that 2 of my BYU room mates came with their families! I remember seeing Allison's room mates come through the line and thanking them for coming and then the next thing I know my BYU room mates came through the line! It was a very exciting moment! One of those room mates took pictures and I am trying to be patient to get my hands on one of them....but I will have to be a little more patient I guess! One of the Room mates was my Maid of Honor and they were both bridesmaids at my wedding 31 yrs ago, so that was extremely special!
I think I already told this story, but really, it was a miracle, it was pouring down ran the morning of the sealing....and I mean by the time we got in the Temple it was POURING! and I remember telling Allison that it was a good thing it was raining then, because it would stop and be sun shiny by the time we were ready to take pictures. Allison looked at me like "ya, right mom" but that is exactly what happened.
At the Utah Reception, every one of our close friends that had either moved to Utah now or was there when we lived in Utah.....came to the Reception. That was very cool. When sending out invitations I sent them hoping that they would be able to come since it was in Utah....and they all did! I loved that so much! My boss that I worked for, for 8 yrs, and who I became like part of the family was coming....but fell and ended up at the Doctors, but put in a special call to the reception center trying to find me and let me know they were on the way out the door when the accident happened. I of course was very relieved to hear that he was o.k., but really touched that they were coming! And that they wanted to make sure that I knew they were coming before it became impossible!
Our family on the Clay side is huge! So huge that everyone lived far apart from each other and so I did not know a lot of my cousins at least not closely! But there were a few that I was close to because we got to spend time together in College or during some of the summers!!!! And 2 of them were able to come. It meant the world to me T & C! One came all the way from Colorado to be there and surprised me! It was the greatest of surprises! The only thing that would have been better is if KK could have been there too!!!!
I'm not just saying this because it was my daughter's sealing, but the sealing was exceptional everyone has commented on how strong the spirit was in room. And totally amazing that having people come in late took nothing away from the ceremony and in fact added to the spirit as each missing person made their way in......kind of like how I think it will be in the Celestial Kingdom/Heaven....as each missing person arrives!! Amazing!
All of Alan's brothers and sister, and their families were there! It really was so wonderful to see everyone and feel every one's happiness and love for our children at the Temple, the luncheon and the Reception! And all of his Aunts and Uncles on the Harris side that live in Utah were there! Many of Alan's brown cousins came and supported the Reception as well. Very cool!
All of my Aunts and Uncles that live in Utah came to the Utah Reception and/or Luncheon and my Aunt and Uncle who live in Texas came to the Texas Reception!!! So I got to see all of my Father's brothers and sisters except 2 (7 out of 9 siblings)! Found out that my Uncle O, knew the Rex's from when he lived in Washington, small world!
Most importantly to me personally...all of my brothers and sisters that could go to the Temple were in the Temple and everyone was at one or both of the Receptions! I love my family dearly and thank them for the support.
Alan and I have both said, our favorite time out of the last 2 weeks, was going through the endowment session at the Temple with our first child! It really is an amazing experience for a parent to get to do and I'm so grateful that Allison gave us this opportunity. You hear people talk about how wonderful it is....but until you get to go through with a child of your own....you just really don't know!
Meeting all of the Rex family and finding out they are all as amazing as John is! That they would want to come to Allison's endowment and be apart of that, Grandma Rex came too! As I continued to meet all the family, extended family (both sides) etc.... I found each one just as impressive as the last!
In Texas all of Allison's High School teachers/mentors that played a huge role in Allison's success in High School came to the Reception! Amazing really when you think about it. I know that was something that the Rex's were very impressed with. And we got an awesome picture of all of them with her I can't wait to get it from the photographer! The only teacher we missed getting in the picture was her voice teacher, who left before we got everyone together! But we know she was there and that is what is important!
The Bishop that Alan was a counselor to, in Wichita, Ks, and his wife came to the Tx Reception. That was such an amazing surprise! It was so exciting to see them, I couldn't believe it. And some other dear friend's from Kansas the B's came down and also made all the flowers for the reception! We really are blessed!
Our Ward/Stake/Friends supported our family here in Texas like I never thought possible. I really would like to thank each of our dear friends that made the effort to be there and say thank you!!!! It meant everything to Alan & I that you would all come out, especially the Bishopric that Alan serves with now and all of my/our dear friends, you know who you are!!!
Allison's best friend and maid of honor, flew out to Utah to be apart of everything there, and since she is like our 4th daughter it made the day complete to have her there! Also very exciting several of my Seminary students came to the Utah Reception and/or Luncheon and/or Temple and one very close friend of Allison's (and my seminary student) flew in from PA to be at the Temple, the luncheon and the Reception. This was one of her Church friends that all through high school she did just about everything with! Good friends!
Having another one of Allison's church friends (they were a group that all hung out) get home from her mission the day before the Texas Wedding Reception and watching them hug and cry, hug and cry, that they didn't miss getting to see each other!
Both Father's words at the Wedding Luncheon were awesome and very heartfelt and I loved what Alan said.....he told a couple of good stories about John and meeting John and then he said that he remembered several General Conferences ago Pres. Hinckley saying to the men...you know these women are taking a gamble on you when they marry you.....and Alan said that as a father of all girls, he was like -- That's right. But as he got to know John, he realized there was no gamble in Allison marrying John! I loved that sentiment!
The night before the wedding it was very late....too late really and Allison was trying to finish downloading the music for the dance for the Receptions and she couldn't get her laptop to work. It started overheating. It wouldn't eject, etc. etc. etc. and I remember thinking this girl just needs to get to bed and get some rest....so Alan and I both got down on our knees and started praying. When we were done she tried one more time to burn the music and it did! She was in bed in a matter of minutes! I know that may seem like a silly miracle to tell about, but Heavenly Father answered our prayers in so many amazing ways these last two weeks and this was just one little one that I felt I could share.....it shows the Lord is mindful of all our small and great concerns! And that he listens to all of our prayers!
In Texas when the photographer was taking Anne Marie and Allison's picture by themselves...........Alan and I watched Allison and Anne Marie look at each other in a way that makes parents cry...and then to see that Anne Marie was saying something very special to her younger sister! Don't know what it was, don't need to, just knew that it was something very special!
Sunday, after the Reception in Utah Saturday night, Aileen became very ill. So ill that she was throwing up and it didn't seem that she was going to be able to stop! So Alan and Grandpa Jay gave her a Blessing and she was able to sleep the whole night and travel the next two days without incident!
You know the kids missed their flight from Cancun to Fort Worth the morning of the Texas Reception. I have to admit I was a little stressed out....but John's father talked to someone at American Airlines and made sure they were able to get on the next flight! He saved our Reception! Before he got to a Supervisor - the airline people were saying, "well, I guess you will just have to change your plans". Thank you John Sr. for having the gift of persuasion.
Anyway, these are some of the things I wanted recorded so that I would not forget! Time seems to make us forget important facts and details if we don't write them down when they happen!
Last night I went to a wedding shower for someone else....can I tell you it was great just to be a guest and have absolutely no responsibilities!!!! The wedding shower is for one of Allison's friends from high school and her best friends sister! I remember when I first met K...I had heard many things about her from Allison. That she was so beautiful, such a talented singer, so nice to everyone even the lower classmen, the Choir President etc... and Allison's goal was to be as good as she was. So when I met her for the 1st time and saw what a lovely girl she was inside and out.....I was pleased that Allison had someone that she really could look up to and strive to be like! That was a great gift for any parent. Then of course Allison did go on to go to All-state for Choir, become the Choir president and became a pretty lovely person herself! So very fun to go and be a part of a celebration for such a happy reason of such a beautiful person! Congratulations K!
