The Wedding Shoes

Today, I've been in my office preparing to speak at a Ladies Retreat this weekend. How exciting to share Church Lady- Freed to be a Woman of God with this precious group of ladies from Spring Baptist Church! Its noon and I'm taking a quick break for lunch. I decided to write a post since I haven't in several days. Time...it goes by so fast!

Although I’m focusing on an encouraging message for women, there isn’t a day that goes by wedding isn’t on the forefront of my mind. How can it not be? A few minutes ago the doorbell rang and the UPS guy delivered 2 more gifts for the Bride and Groom. Boxes…they’re everywhere! But the greatest task of the day… Holly has her 2^nd fitting tonight at 7:00.


 If you haven't been a part of a wedding in a while you can't imagine how important the role of the wedding shoe has become. Perhaps photographers and shoe designers have collaborated. They surely both benefit well from this fashion trend. You should see the pictures staring the wedding shoe. It’s unbelievable!  A good photographer creates unique pictures (with the shoe in the spotlight) that portray the personality of the Bride. Its fun and the pictures are beautiful but for the girl who LOVES SHOES, like Holly Peele…it’s a huge task to find the perfect pair!

Holly has spent hours looking on-line and evenings off searching. Perhaps you, like her dad, are  thinking, “You’re kidding me. She didn’t even find something at Nordstrom?” Well…yes she did. In fact she found the perfect pair! A designer shoe with a price tag through the roof! Needless to say, she didn't get the Jimmy Choo she thought would be exquisite with her dress. Thankfully...we laughed-together!  

With the wedding day five weeks away and her Bridals one week from today, we are all very happy that Holly has finally found the perfect shoe. Well…we hope so. She’s taking two pair to determine which one looks best.  Can’t help but think of Cinderella. Actually it may have been easier to find glass slippers. And thankfully Caleb, her Prince charming, has already found his Princess.
Oh my Holly Dolly- gotta love that sweet girl.
My joy!
The Mother of the Bride

God cares about the linen's!

When was the last time you saw something in a magazine or perhaps something someone was wearing or got a glimpse of something when you were shopping that you just couldn’t get out of your mind? Well, A couple of months ago when Holly and I were gathering ideas for her wedding we saw the perfect linen’s for the reception. Since that day, those linens have been the foundation of the reception. The flowers, lighting, table setting; everything! Unfortunately we recently found out that the linens would not be available for us to rent. Disappointed, we tried to be positive and agreed perhaps we would find something even better! Well yesterday was our appointment with the linen company our venue works with. As the sweet sales girl brought out ten or so possibilities in Holly’s color scheme, none of them said, “PICK ME PICK ME!”   We tried to envision each one spread across 25 tables with everything else we have selected and we had a melancholy feeling of just okay.

 As the sales girl laid out the last option, I looked at Holly and Holly said, “Okay mom! You don’t like this one either.” I was a bit embarrassed with her tone but she said she could tell by the look on my face that I didn’t LOVE it, or even like it for that matter. Don’t you hate that! What look? If you have a mother or sister…you know what I mean.

 “Holly. This is your wedding honey. Do you like this one? Or which one do you like best?” I asked. At that moment a lady from the office (which had apparently over heard our whole thirty minute viewing time) came out and told the young lady to get us another piece from the back she thought might work. Although it was the best of what we had seen, she could see the look of we’ll settle for it, on our faces. She said, “Can you describe the linen you want?” As Holly described it she pulled out a book of fabrics and said, is it this one?” Oh my goodness!! It was the fabric we loved! She said, “Well, let me see if we could have these made for your wedding because we also love this fabric.” We were just about jumping up and down with excitement as she called the owner. She motioned for the sales lady who had been helping us to go get the sample from the back. Much to our surprise there it was the beautiful table linen we had dreamed about!  I know you must be thinking “Are you seriously that picky about the linens?” Oh just wait until you get to plan your daughter’s wedding. Once she has something in her mind (or you do), you can’t help but want to make it happen. This though was a God thing for sure! Seriously! Do you know how many linen places there must be in Houston? A lot! We chose this one and they just happen to have the same fabric swatch!!! I believe the Lord works ALL things together for good for those who love Him. And we do! I told the lady I felt like a spoiled child that cried until I got what I wanted. We all laughed. I said, “That’s Our Father! Taken care of His girls! I’d say, we are blessed…not spoiled.” We all agreed.

I thought it would be days until we heard whether they would make them or not but within a few minutes the owner sent a text and with a smile on her face the manager read it out loud. “Are they nice?” She sent a text back, “Yes!” And praise Jesus we are getting the linens we’ve wanted since that day we saw them first.

Holly and I laughed all the way to the car and still cannot believe they are actually having linens made for Holly and Caleb’s special day!

Oh the life of the Mother of the Bride!

Holly's wedding -45 days away!

Someone recently told me that Bloggers are supposed to write a BLOG a day! My response was, “Seriously!” How could any Mother of the Bride have time for that? Oh what fun it is to ride in my MDX all over Houston -or wherever the appointment is on that particular day. Oh wait...that's a Christmas song! Goodness! See. I can barely remember the date, other than I have 45 days from today to plan the wedding of my daughter’s dreams! There have been times recently I’ve had a funny, good or interesting thought I’d love to share on my BLOG. I’ve imagined how convenient it would be to have a built in recorder that would send my thoughts directly to my BOLG. Then I instantly thought, be careful what you wish for Chandra!    



Oh… I’ve been busy writing- a book! New Hope Publisher and I finished all the details on my first Inspirational book for women titled, Church Lady-Freed to be a Woman of God to be released March the 6^th! Mini sales pitch-Life Way Christian stores will spot light the book April 9th-May 2^nd.  The book will be a great Mother’s Day gift for your moms, sisters and friends! I’ve also just finished writing Joy(Full), a Bible Study for teen girls based on the book of Philippians (in the Bible). The deadline for the finished manuscript was December 30^th.  Praise the Lord…I met the deadline!



Somewhere in the middle of all that was Christmas. With Lindsey being married now, we had Christmas Day without her. When I realized she wouldn’t be with us on Christmas Day for the first time since she was born…I cried and that’s when I realized this is only the beginning of coordinating; trying to please everyone during the holidays for the rest of my life! Ha! I’m happy to report, everyone was happy this year.



Now here we are 45 days from Holly and Caleb’s Big Day. Let me catch you up. The Tuesday after Lindsey’s wedding, (Yes, there was no rest for this MOB!), Holly and I got busy finding a venue and deciding a date. You can’t do much until you have these two decisions confirmed. The next most important item on the list is “the dress”. We didn’t want to take anything away from Lindsey so without her knowledge, Holly and I went wedding dress shopping the week before Lindsey’s wedding.  It can take up to three months to get a wedding dress in and although Houston Bridal gave us a February 1st arrival date I am happy to report Holly’s dress came in last Thursday! We went into Houston Bridal to try on veils (one of my favorite moments as the MOB), and when we arrived they told Holly they had a surprise for her. When we walked into the dressing room expecting to try on the sample dress, much to our surprise HOLLY’s DRESS was there! Another wonderful surprise was that Jenny, the seamstress, was actually at the store and without having an appointment she had time to pin the dress! Believe me, when you can get two things checked off the list at once…it’s a great thing!



Holly looks like an angel in her dress! It’s absolutely perfect for her. Seeing my Holly dolly in a wedding dress and veil…well, it just seems like a dream BUT IT’s NOT! My baby girl, my Holly dolly is getting married and she, like Lindsey, will be a beautiful bride! The girls have such different taste in style which makes the whole planning process challenging but fun; exciting for sure.



Holly’s wedding will be an outdoor wedding with a vintage flare. Think blush pastels and romantic chic with a natural setting surrounded by one hundred year old oak trees.  I don’t want to give it all away for our guest but there will be personal touches that will make Holly and Caleb’s wedding absolutely Holly Style! It’s so fun and I’m enjoying every minute.



However…last week I have to admit I had a day of anxiety. My chest hurt and I had to breathe into a paper bag! One of my best girlfriends called that day and I unloaded on her. (Thanks Lenise!) I had become overwhelmed with all the details, finances, and wanted desperately to understand Holly’s vision.  She’s creative and knows what she wants. The key will be for me to know her vision so I can make it happen.



 Lindsey say’s often, “Mom, my wedding was more than I ever hoped it would be! I loved it! It was so beautiful and fun! You and dad are the best and I appreciate you so much. Thank you!” Well of course, I want Holly to say the same thing after her wedding.  But two within 4 months…perhaps you can understand the reason behind my anxiety attack!



I’m happy to report the next day I got my focus back and had a come to Jesus moment. When we keep the Lord the center of our thoughts and our life He does what nothing or no one else can…He settled me; calmed me and gave me peace through His Word.



Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 4-7



We praise our Father for He has and continues to answer our prayers. This week we found the instrumentalist, (so happy to have them from 2^nd, our church family!), got the vintage lights and many of the other little details have come together. Whew! I feel much better now.



Today we are going to pick out the table linens and then we can take a mini break next week while I prepare to speak at a ladies retreat January 27-28. God is good!



Sorry this is such a long BLOG! Remember, I’m use to writing books!



Much Joy!
The Mother of the Bride