A Week of Celebrations

{post written the week of June 5th}
Wow, I am exhausted.  Like I think I could fall asleep standing up, type of exhausted.  This week has been filled with a wide spectrum of emotions.

The week began celebrating the recent engagement of Travis' brother Daniel.  Daniel, and his bride-to-be Rachel, came into town all aglow with young love.
{picture taken the night they got engaged! }

  These two are a perfect match for one another and our family is so excited about their November wedding.
I noticed around this time that McClain was not acting like his usual self.  While he did flirt with and bat his eyes at Rachel, which is par for the course for him, he started waking several times during the night.  After a trip to the doctor we discovered a double ear infection.  Thankfully, he is well on the mend.

Later that same day we received a different kind of news.  My grandmother, for whom I am named for, went on to be with the Lord.  I will always remember her being the sweetest woman.  The lady who would laugh until tears streamed down her cheeks, the one who managed to be both a Clemson and USC fan, the one who was known for being a beauty queen during her days at Carolina, the one who passed on her love of reading to me, and the one who was called Ma` by her grandchildren.  In the midst of the sadness my sister posted this image that conveys the encouragement and truth that believers cling to in seasons of loss.

So we celebrate.  We celebrate her life and we celebrate the afterlife that awaits.
This is the last picture I have with my grandmother.  Here sits four of the six generations of Lucy and Lil's.  

Two days after my grandmother was buried, my cousin's wedding gave reason to celebrate.  I loved seeing how my family pulled together during this time.  Some relationships were mended, sensitivity ever-present, and the constant reminder to celebrate the good because life's brevity is upon us.

Kelly's wedding was the first one Lucy Mills and McClain have ever attended.
~Telling secrets with Aunt Marian right before the ceremony started. ~

~Tutu attempting to control my wild man at the wedding.~

~ My sweet boys ~

~ My cousin Donna and her beautiful family ~

~ Two of the prettiest girls I know. ~

~ Who can be totally silly too. ~

At the reception McClain started making eyes at the lady playing the harp.

And apparently his charm worked on her because soon enough she gave in and let him give it a whirl.

Lucy Mills gave it a try as well and she loved it.

All of Daddy's guitar lessons finally came in handy!

~ The lovely bride and groom during their first dance. ~

Suggie and McClain got to dance together as well.

McClain and Aunt Marian had a dance or two together that night.  It's amazing how it took five adults {my mom, sister, aunt, husband, and myself} to keep up with a 2 1/2 and 1 1/2 year old.  It takes a village I tell you. Or at least a family.

Once the partying started, my two were enthralled with the music.
~ Pump up the jam! ~

The dancing got a little crazy from this point on...

Between my cousins Donna and Mary Beth, they have six boys.  All of who could break it down on the dance floor like nobody's business.  My sweet girl was a little unsure about such shenanigans.

I don't think she had ever seen moves like this!

It wasn't long before McClain made his mark on the dance floor.

Pretty soon she let loose and I couldn't tear her away.

We had a fun time celebrating Kelly that night.  I think we were all aware who was with us in spirit.  Kelly reminded us by having my grandparents wedding photo proudly displayed.

Life is full of celebrations.  This was the week they came full circle for me.