Kimi from

[Guest guest]

Kimi,

You are so sweet. I didn't do a lot today, just mostly took it easy, other than 3 hours that Nikki and I spent trying to find music and make decisions on the music for her wedding ceremony. Tomorrow my mom has an appt with our (mine, my sis's, and my daughter's) rheumy. I am going to with her because she is terrible with directions and it's in Birmingham, which is 100 miles south. Other than that, I plan to mostly chill this week because Nikki's next bridal shower (the 3rd of 5) is Saturday, March 13th. It's in Montevallo, AL, where she lives and goes to college and is 130 miles south of where I live. The 4th shower is Saturday, March 20th. It's a 'couples' tool and gadget shower. It's in Montgomery, which is about 200 miles south of here and it is at 5:00 in the evening. I'm making my hubby go (he's thrilled - NOT) and we are going to spend the night near Montevallo because we don't want to be driving home around midnight. The 5th and final shower will be on Sunday, Apr 4th here in Athens at our church. One of my best friend's daughter is getting married three weeks after Nikki and I'm giving her a shower on Saturday, April 17th. The bridesmaid's luncheon will be on Saturday, May 22nd, the rehearsal dinner will be Friday, May 28th, and the wedding will be Saturday, May 29th. After that, I may be able to breath!

This is a wonderful time and for the most part I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing this special time with my awesome daughter and her wonderful fiance. However, as wonderful as it is, it is incredibly stressful. I am at the point that I am looking forward to getting through with everything. I told my daughter today that I am very thankful that I only have one child. I do have a stepdaughter and I will help with her wedding if she wants me to, but it's not the same. I told my daughter it's just like when I was planning her birthday parties when she was younger. I was always glad she only had one birthday a year because I was always so tired by the time the party was over. Then by the time her birthday came around again, I'd forget how much work went into the parties and I'd do it all again! I wouldn't have it any other way, though. I might complain but I enjoyed every one of her birthday parties just as much as she did. I always wanted her to know how very special she was (and still is) to me and that I loved making her special days even more special. It was never about money, presents, or any kind of grand display. It was more about doing all the extra 'little' things just to say 'you mean so much to me and I love you more than words can say'. That's a lot of it with the wedding. I am realizing I have got to delegate out a lot more than I really would like, but there are still some things that are just very important to me and I want to do them myself. Don't worry, though, I won't do so much that I don't get to enjoy the next few weeks as well as the actual wedding and reception. I am taking the time to rest as much as I possibly can between all the events!

Thanks for your sweet words.