A Blessed Weekend

Family has always been an important part of our lives. With family there is comfort knowing you have a built in support system, people in which to share laughs and tears. Someone to call when you just need to talk or email when you have some exciting news to share. Or someone to text when you don't really have anything else to do. I realized this weekend how much we need our family in our lives.

We traveled to Atlanta, Georgia for Ryan's cousin's wedding.
Just Ryan and I.
No Maddie.

Oh man, it was tough leaving our little sugar booger behind. It still makes me well up just remembering how hard it was to leave her. I felt as if I was cutting off my right arm and leaving it behind. Yep, it was that hard.

When we first planned this trip we didn't have to think about who would keep our little Maddie O. The choice was simple, my sister would keep our little munchkin. I was going to miss my Maddie O. but I knew that she would be in great hands and was going to be with our family that loves her to pieces.

So, what does a sad Mama do prior to boarding a plane that is taking her away from her daughter. Ummm...she buys $17 worth of candy. Yeah, not on purpose but I guess we should have known that everything is outrageously overpriced in an airport.



That candy sure was tasty though. Oh, and after spending that much on candy we didn't even buy gum for the flight. We were on a sugar high with ears a popping.

Thank goodness for our family and thank goodness for picture phones. My sister kept us posted with our Maddie with numerous text messages and photos. This is what kept us going.....



The weekend was very busy with luncheons, dinners and golf.



We even took a helicopter ride to get an aerial view of the area.



Just kidding this was a miniature diagram set up in the lobby of the Ritz. Looks like were in a plane though, right? Alright, not really.

Moving on to the main event....





The wedding took place at the Ritz Carlton on Reynold's Plantation, which is located about an hour and a half outside of Atlanta. For you country music lovers, this is the same location that Carrie Underwood wed her hockey honey a few weeks ago. To mildly put it the place is freaking gorgeous.





Hmmm, whatcha' thinking about Brent?  171?  Just a guess.

Ryan's Cousin Sean and Aunt Sue entered the ceremony and Aunt Sue was beaming.



The most climatic moment of a wedding is the entrance of the bride. The beginning of the best yet to come from a marriage of two friends.



I love that Jennifer stopped. Her emotions got the best of her and rightfully so because mine got me too. She stopped with her proud Poppa, took a moment, composed herself and continued on to begin her journey.



And the best part of any wedding, the face of the groom once he lays eyes on his bride. Oh, if that doesn't jerk a tear from you, you must be made of stone.





Proof that I'm not the only one who loves to take pictures.



Can I get a copy of that one Charlie?

Then two become one.



We spent a lot of time catching up with Ryan's family that we don't see too often. I enjoyed seeing them again and sharing stories about Madison.



They made us feel so welcomed and loved.





Congratulations Jennifer and Andy! We are so blessed that we were able to spend this day with you. May your marriage be joyous and happy. The best is yet to come.

Lots of love!
-K