This past week brought two big events for our family. First Dad and John David (Taylor’s fiancee) made a week-long road trip from Arizona to Birmingham (with a LOT of stops in between) to gather furniture from gracious family donors across the south for their new home. Taylor is still in Arizona finishing up her internship, so that left Caroline, Kendall, and me to do the deep cleaning before the furniture was moved into the house. It really was not that hard of a job…you don’t realize how much easier it is to clean a home when there’s no clutter to get in the way. We scrubbed baseboards, dusted windowsills, swept and mopped. We did leave John David to the bathrooms–I figure love only goes so far 🙂
Once that was over, I gathered up my sisters and moved them over to my house. Mary Aplin’s baby dedication was on Sunday and I needed some help getting the house in order, lunch for 25 prepared, and 2 baby girls entertained. So they came, with good attitudes, happy hearts, and earnest spirits, to tackle the muck and grime that has accumulated over here. As we cleaned, and booty danced, and sang songs, and cooked, I became more and more aware of just what it was they were doing for me. You see, this was Mom’s old duty…coming up to Birmingham like a one-woman cleaning crew to help me prepare any time I had a party. It was our thing, and there was always that time the night before the party when we were delirious from cleaning, and we’d spend hours on end in the middle of the night making sure every serving dish was angled like it should be on the table and every flower was in its proper place and every dustball had been disposed of… This weekend, for me, could have potentially been very hard–doing it myself and missing her. Instead my sisters, without even realizing whose shoes they were filling, stepped in and worked their butts off, laughing all the while.
I can’t fail to mention that my Dad, after spending his vacation week moving furniture, wrapped it up by trimming down the massive growth in my front yard (that I mentioned before I have been scared to trim for fear of doing it at the wrong time and it not growing back), cutting the grass, and weed eating–all in the pouring rain. Jeremiah was on call, so Dad was all on his own out there.
My grandma made Mary Aplin’s dress out of lace that Jeremiah’s grandmother collected from travels during her precious life.
Bryan Johnson’s family came to celebrate with us and he took some shots…Can we talk about how excited I am?! I’ll post them as soon as he uploads them, and hopefully we’ll have a better family shot than this.
i love hearing stories about your family. i think i have told you before that i am one of 3 girls … and there is just nothing like having them around.
bryan johnson is amazing. my youngest sister graduated with him from highschool … little bryan johnson – weird that he is such a MAN now!
your girls look so pretty for the dedication. i can’t wait to see more pics of the dress!
Heather
Oh Abby, everything was so beautiful! The gown is amazing and the flower arrangement you did is amazing! Mrs. Maddox would be so proud! Tell me what was under the plastic wrap in the kitchen? Your family is precious! Looks like a fun, work-filled, special weekend!
Loved reading all about your weekend, Abby!!
So sweet how your family rallies together to get the job at hand done!
I know your heart is fulfilled!!
Congrats to Mary Alpin!! 🙂 May the Lord lead your every step in HIS way!! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!
Abby… Do you think Erika would get the hint if I sent this post to her? Your sister {& whole family for that matter} is just precious!! I loved every picture… especially Mary Aplin's dress… oh my it's beautiful! Thanks for filling us in on your weekend… and I'm up for our ride with the windows down and Crazy blaring any time you are! 🙂
LOVED hearing about your weekend! I always wished with every ounce that I would have a sister, but I know the Lord has a reason for not giving me one! The pictures were beautiful and I can’t wait to see more!
PS. I can only imagine the “Booty Dancing” that was going on!
Thank you for sharing. I miss hearing ALL about your family. We always got great details!!!!!
love you!
this makes me hope this little bean inside of me is another girl! there is nothing like a sister 🙂
Abby,
You all did such a wonderful job!! Adam and I were so happy to be there to celebrate Mary Aplin. I am so happy it was a fun experience for you!