Happily Ever Married!

A few weeks ago I got to participate in a beautiful weekend filled with LOTS of love, beautiful moments, loads of laughs, precious family, and a union of two people that are truly made for each other.

I’m not sure I was prepared for the emotions I would feel when my brother got married. We’ve always been very close, and I’ve known for a long time that Amanda is his “lobster”, it all seemed very natural from the beginning. But, actually watching this amazing girl and seeing how much she cares and loves not only my brother, but my entire family, fills my heart with more JOY than I can explain.

Normie is, without a doubt, the most selfless person I know. He puts everyone else before himself (unless it’s time for dinner), and genuinely cares about how people are feeling. He’s been an amazing source of support for everyone in our family for too many years now. I’m so happy that he’s found someone that he can truly enjoy this new adventure with. I am confident that he will put the same time, effort, love, and care into his new family that he’s put into ours for so many years. He deserves every single ounce of happiness this world has to offer, and I can’t think of a more perfect person for him to share this with than Amanda!! Their personalities are addictive, and their love for each other just makes me smile. I couldn’t have picked a better wife for my brother, daughter for my parents, sister for myself, and aunt for my little boy.


Here are a few, of the zillions, pics taken that weekend (and we haven't even seen the photographer's yet...) I'm telling you, I think every person there wanted to capture a piece of this heaven to take with them. Can you blame them??

Welcome to the family, Amanda! It was WAY fun to see my long lost "Berky Brothers" again, and of course, our dear Tutu! I L-O-V-E our family!

I still tear up every time I look at this picture. So happy!!

So sweet. Love was everywhere!!

THIS little boy partied his little tux pants off! Dancin' King was up way past his curfew in this picture. I'm kind of a weirdo about his schedule, so I was pleasantly surprised when he didn't shed a tear being out so late (even when I peeled him out of his tux at the end of the night).

Chap sang Normie and Amanda's first dance (don't have a pic of this yet, I was too busy smiling from ear to ear to touch my camera), but this song was too precious not to post. This is Amanda's little sister, Maggie, singing "God Blessed the Broken Road" while Normie played.

They had "Sister", by Dave Mathews played for our dance, loved it!

This was the last dance of the evening. What started out as a joke turned into a very sweet moment of all the guests circled around them holding hands and singing. It couldn't have been written any better!

Thank you, Normie & Amanda, for letting us all be a part of your amazingly special/perfect day. It reminded me of how wonderful love and family truly are! We love you both more than you know and wish you nothing but love, laughter, and LOTS of baby cousins for Winston!! Ha!

Please Pause

Dear Life,

I am going to need you to slow down just a little bit. This past week, my baby boy started walking AND got his first little man hair cut. I am doing my very best to enjoy each and every moment, but sometimes feel like I can't soak it in fast enough. If you could do me a huge favor and just slow down? Or even pause for a little bit?? My heart would greatly appreciate it.

Love,

A Very Busy Mom of a Very Busy Boy

Gettin' his locks trimmed

October 4th

DonnaCole's with Ms. Nichole

(I know, I tried to hold out tilll the almighty "one year" mark, but with Uncle Norm's wedding next weekend...we figured pictures without a baby mullet might be a nice wedding gift.)

Not positive that we're fully in love with this idea...

But I'll probably smile and laugh regardless. Soooo much better!

And then, for the walking...
Mind you, the walking comes only TWO short weeks after the crawling initiated. I'm not 100% sure that was enough time for mommy to transition to "full mobility".

Ready or not, Mommy, here I go!!!

First steps: October 3, 2010

Walking to his mommy :)

It's a Bird...It's a PLANE!!

In case you're not aware, PLANES are a pretty big deal in my family. My grandfather, the original 'Norman WINSTON Gourley' was a fighter pilot in the Marine Corps, and later a Major General, dedicating over 35 years of his life to aviation and our country...needless to say, our family likes airplanes just a little bit.

I've been waiting for Winn to show interest in real, LIVE, flying, airplanes for a while now ...making sure I point out each one. Till this week, he didn't so much lift his eyes up to the sky in the direction of my finger pointing. I was wondering if he'd EVER understand planes!!

Finally, a few nights ago, we were walking to get the mail and he heard a plane (on his own) and started searching the sky. I looked up and saw a very low flying plane, pointed, and said "Airplane!!" He smiled REALLY big and pointed his little baby finger at the airplane and said "ppppp" (English = plane)

I immediately thanked my grandfather for the very special moment I had just shared with my little boy.

Today on our walk, he got to see more planes. I had to get my phone out to capture a few of the moments...the entire walk consisted of him and his pursuit for planes (and I didn't plan the outfit either, in case you were wondering).

Stop the stroller, mom, I think I hear something. Wait for it...wait for it...

Yep! There's the ppppp

This is the picture that hangs in Winn's room of his great grandfather, Sho Sho (meaning 'to fly') in his jet. My wonderful Auntie Anne had the picture blown up, restored, matted, and framed as a baby gift for Winston.
This is the quote at the bottom of the frame. It hangs over the rocking chair, so we're reminded of it every night when we do our bedtime routine.
This was my grandfather's airplane. My grandmother gave it to him many, many years ago. She then gave it to her great grandson as a 'welcome home' gift when he was born (adding to the excitement that W was born at exactly 7:47 a.m.). Both gifts mean the world to me and will be cherished by me, and my son always!

Little Winn, keep looking for the planes. We can't wait to teach you about your GREAT grandfather!

Itty Bitty Baby Steps!!