Wow, so much time goes by so fast and I am too busy (or lazy) to update. Y'all are sweet to even care so I'll get you caught up on our doings of late...

First off, Blake and Diana have set a date for the wedding. It's to be September 2, 2013. Just a little less than a year away. And if you're really good you caught the fact that is Labor Day. Yes, they picked a Monday evening for their wedding. Made sense since there may be some schooling conflicts with some people involved in the wedding so we just picked a holiday! This will necessitate sending out "save the date" cards so the guests won't have a conflict with Labor Day plans. We have so many cool ideas for this event--can't wait to get them all going! As a bonus, this date is also shared by some really special people--Mama and Papa Teel. Next year will be their 50th, Lord wiling!

We have a "temporary" son! Joe's brother, Paul, is with us for a few months to work with Wes, learning to preach and teach the Gospel. We are LOVING having him here with us! He is just like all the other Koens--a delight! He has already preached for us several times at N. Bibb and has done quite an excellent job. Wes is loving the Bible study with him too. This also means that Joe and Laurie are here a lot more which is a definite plus! All my boys (Joe, Joel, Blake and Paul) are enjoying their time together and I love seeing what good friends they are.

Wes preached a meeting in Huntington, WV and then we decided to take advantage of a sweet friend's offer of a place to stay in Washington, DC. I had never been to our nation's capitol so it was pretty exciting for me! Pami and Joel flew up to DC and joined us for the week. We saw so, so many amazing things--really just an overload at times! Going with Wes made it perfect for lots of reasons, not the least of which is his love for, and knowledge of, history. He makes the best tour guide and knows more than any of the guides we happened upon. We walked a lot. I figured, using Diana's pedometer, we walked at least 30 miles during the 4 days we were there. For me that is A LOT. And I found out on the way home Friday, my body knew it was a lot--too much actually. But it was worth it. We all had a blast!


I'm sure there more happening but my brain is too tired to come up with anything right now. Even though I don't post as often as I should, I still get on here daily to read everyone's blog and enjoy doing so! I still love all my Pleo peeps!!

Now don't get too excited (like you really would), it's just a tidbit of an update. First of all, we went to see another venue possibility for Dee and Blake. A castle. Yep, you read that right--a castle. Now the great part is it is BEAUTIFUL! As in gorgeous and unique. The bad part? The actual castle is not set up for indoor weddings. The castle has the "getting ready" rooms (technical term, there!). But the grounds...BREATHTAKING! There are several spots that would be ideal for the ceremony. The fav for Dee and Blake? The drawbridge which overlooks the "moat". The moat is actually a huge fountain. The reception area is beautiful and covered and could be plan B in case of rain. We all loved this place and the folks who own it. The lady, Misty, was the sweetest thing! I would love working with her in planning this wedding--she's so full of great ideas and knows how to do things on a budget! Not 100% sure this is the place we'll go with but it's our favorite so far. The thing is an outdoor wedding in July in Alabama is really a bad idea. So, Diana and Blake decided to roll it back to September. That gives Blake a little more time to get everything in place too--his job, a place to live, etc. They are being so smart about things and that makes me happy!
Lately I've been enjoying resuming my sewing hobby. I used to sew every single day on something. And I loved it. Not sure what made me stop but I'm sure it had something to do with life, in general ,getting in the way. I'm glad to be getting back into it. Anyway, Diana and I went fabric store shopping today (BIG sale at JoAnn's) and found some great buys. It was at Hancock Fabrics I noticed them clearancing out their old sewing machine models. Some were floor models but they had one Janome new in the box that has been discontinued. The price? $49.00. And for a full size machine too! It's a great beginner's machine as it doesn't have all the "bells and whistles" but has everything needed to do most anything. If you've ever had a Janome, you'll understand my love for mine. It sews like a dream and mine is 10 years old. But this machine is perfect for Diana! She was so, so happy to get it. We came home and she immediately unboxed it, pulled out the manual and proceeded to learn all its in and outs. To hear it run and see what perfect stitches it produces you'd never guess it cost less than 50 bucks! I love that she enjoys sewing too. She has a skirt pattern she has picked out of my pattern box to try. Up til now, she has mainly been doing quilty stuff and hasn't really ventured into garment construction. I predict she'll be hooked after her first garment!
OK, that's all for now. Hope you're in a happy place today. If God in there, it will be filled with contentment and peace--isn't that a wonderful thought?? Love!

for a new entry, that is. Wow, it's been awhile, hasn't it. I do get on here daily to read updates on everyone's blogs but lately haven't been inspired to write on my own. So here is a much overdue update about...not much!

Wedding plans--Diana and Blake have tentatively decided on July of next year for the wedding. Blake graduates in May of 2013 so that will give him a couple of months to get things in order, work-wise and such. Even though that sounds like a long time away, I know how waiting to get things done for a wedding can backfire (re: getting cancer while planning Laurie's wedding) so I am being very pro-active in getting stuff done for this one! We still don't have a venue chosen but have a couple in mind. Her dress has been chosen and ordered (compliments of my sister, Kookie). Her "theme" has been selected and centerpieces already planned out. All the tableware has been purchased (plates, cups, napkins, forks) and they are gorgeous! I found a lovely, lovely full length beaded dress in the perfect colors (lavender and silver) for my dress and in my size AT THE THRIFT STORE!! This dress would retail at well over $200 but I paid $14.98! I know, pretty incredible, right? I've gotten a great start on her bouquet and have made the "prototype" for the bridesmaids bouquets. I am having a great time with the girls planning this out. Pami is a born wedding planner so it's been a hoot to bounce ideas off her. Diana is radiant with happiness.

Birthday--the big 5-0 was last month and it was a blast. I got some really wonderful gifts from my family. The biggie was Wes' gift to me--a serger! I have wanted one forever and he told me he wanted to give me "a sewing machine" but wanted me to pick out which kind. I already have a fabulous machine he gave me for our 20th anniversary (it replaced the one he gifted me with on my 21st birthday) so I went online and researched and found the perfect serger (if you're on a budget). Pami gave me an Amazon gift card which I used for new Gingher sewing shears and a couple of sewing books and Laurie gave me the matching Gingher thread snips. I've been fabric shopping twice since then and have bought some knit material for skirts. I always hated sewing knits on my regular machine but my serger just shines when sewing anything knit! I made the first skirt for myself--took about an hour and it is just too cute! Now I have to get busy on everyone else's.

Random bits of info--We (me, Wes, Pami and Dee) took a day trip to Atlanta to the High Museum. Wes really wanted to see their collection (both permanent and the special Picasso exhibit) so off we went. I so enjoyed it! They really didn't have any Old Masters but they did have some beautiful pieces. Their marble statuary was impressive and was my favorite. Google "Jerusalem in Her Desolation" statue--it was so poignant. It was just a really good day.
Speaking of "good days", I just posted a video over on FB of the video Pami made for me and played at her wedding reception. It is set to Taylor Swift's "Best Day" and is a montage of snips from home movies we took when she was little. I treasure this and it brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it. How sweet was that of her to do that for me!

OK I think that's everything. Hope all is well in your world. Love to you all!!

My sweet Diana is engaged! We are ever so delighted with her choice too. Blake is a godly young man who will be an asset to Diana in her service to God. No wedding date as yet. It will be some time next year since Blake has to finish college first. He is studying to be a radiology tech. I like nice long engagements--at least for me and Wes. I'm sure Blake and Diana feel differently ;) Pictures of the happy couple are on my FB page. Wedding planning...ready, set, go!

Time flies. Tomorrow I will no longer have any teens in my household. My baby turns 20. There is something so bittersweet about this particular milestone. There is a part of me that wants to sob and wail about Diana being so grown up--too grown up, in my heart. I desperately want to grasp some part of her childhood and hold it close and keep her safe and warm and by my side. I want to see her smile every day, all day for the rest of my life. The other, more sane, part of me is so proud of the wonderful, godly adult she has become. I want her to fly, to experience the best of God's blessings, to have her own family and home that I know she will treasure and treat as a gift from God. Diana is the very best of both Wes and I and really, her sisters as well. We all had a part in shaping her and she'll be the first to tell you that she is the "spoiled" kid. But none of us can help it--she is just so sweet. She puts a smile on everyone's face and makes you want to be a better person when you're with her. She, above all else, loves the Lord. And it shows in her speech, her demeanor, her dress, her service to others. And she is also our quirky kid. She embraces this and makes no apology for it. She is who she is and wouldn't dream of changing for any mere mortal! But who she is is something rare and special...and growing up too, too fast. Diana has a sweet young man she is keeping company with these days, Blake. He seems to understand that she is someone to be cherished and protected. I'm happy about that. She deserves the best.
So, happy birthday to my darling youngest daughter. God has blessed me with three of the most wonderful daughters anywhere, anytime. I marvel DAILY at this blessing and feel so unworthy but God is so gracious. And taking the time to remember to thank Him and praise Him seems like the very, very least I can do. How about you? Got blessings?? Glory, honor and praise to Him Whom deserves all this and much more...