A Little Surprise

...from The Knot/Texas

Most brides (and a few grooms) are aware of The Knot.com, the largest and best known of the wedding planning websites. They also publish a national mag and a few regional ones such as The Knot/Texas. It's a slick paper, almost 500 page issue that comes out quarterly.

Imagine my surprise to get an email from a wedding planner friend advising me that I was in the current issue. The wedding in question was also the subject of an earlier post on this blog (click HERE)

The photographer was Sil Acevedo, a talented guy that I see at many of the high profile weddings and venues. Even though I'm not mentioned in the article and neither was the event planner, it was still nice exposure and reminded me of what a great time I had with this sweet couple last summer.

btw, the headline of the article refers to the couple, not me.

Blessings,
Ken

More Refrigerator Art

...this one from 6 year old Jada

Regular followers of this blog know I'm a big fan of refrigerator art--if you want to see what's important to people, go look at what's on the outside of the refrigerator.

Last night I met with a couple to work out details of their wedding ceremony next month. This will be a blended family, so I got to meet six year old Jada, a charmer with dark hair and big, dark eyes. I always have paper, crayons and stickers with me for such occasions, so I asked Jada to make something for me.


She asked what she should draw. I told her to draw something that gives her happy thoughts. Above is the result--from left to right: grandfather, Jada, mom, dad, grandmother. Interesting how you can find out what's in a child's mind just by asking the right question.


Blessings,
Ken

TWO EVENTS

...one of them that I wish hadn't happened.

You may have heard about the multiple murder/suicide that occurred in Grapevine at Christmas. A tragedy to be sure, and I grieved for the families. However, it became a lot more personal for me when I learned a few days ago that I had actually met at least one, and possibly more, of the victims.

Last June I had the honor to officiate at a Persian themed wedding at Union Station in downtown Dallas. It was truly an international affair with guests from multiple countries, including Iran. The bride's family, of Iranian heritage, wanted elements of a traditional Persian wedding, so the bride and groom asked me to structure a ceremony accordingly. The ceremony took place at a beautiful stage setting, including the traditional Persian "sofreh", or wedding cloth spread with decorations, sweets, pastries, and other items. Part of the ceremony takes place with the bride and groom sitting behind the platform, but there is traditionally a mirror on the sofreh, so that they may see each other's reflection.

The sofreh and other decorations you see in the picture were designed and arranged by Zohreh Rahmaty, a delightfully creative woman. She was one of the victims; the shooter was her brother-in-law. It's likely I met some of the other victims, but don't know for certain.

My point is, we are not guaranteed tomorrow.  Whatever you need to get said or done, get it said or done sooner rather than later. I imagine that thought has crossed the mind of family and friends who lost loved ones in this senseless tragedy.

Blessings,

Ken

Scarlet Ribbons

...for Sydney's Hair

Can't help but wonder what might have been. This would have been Sydney Grace's fourth Christmas, with all the anticipation and wonder that a little girl would have. Came across the old song "Scarlet Ribbons" a few days ago and it made me think about what I might have bought for my grand daughter.

Whatever gifts there might be, mainly I would want her to sit in granddaddy's lap, and feel warm and loved and safe. My comfort is that she is sitting in the Father's lap, feeling warm and loved and eternally safe.

Blessings,

Ken

Baby Gus

...Baby Jesus

Newest grandson, Augustus, scored his first acting gig this week, playing the baby Jesus in a live Nativity scene in Round Rock. I hear he got rave reviews. Heather was cast as the BVM (Blessed Virgin Mary). Have no idea who the dude is playing Joseph.

The second pic was taken of Heather at a company Christmas party this week. No wonder that my grandsons are photogenic.

Blessings,

Ken

Happy Birthday, Liam

...hardly seems like seven years

Liam Christopher Byrd, born December 7, 2004.  He was only 4 lbs 12 oz and came into the world early and with some drama.

I remember getting the phone call that an emergency c-section was about to happen. We could hardly draw a good breath for a couple of hours while we waited for news.

This miracle baby, grandson #2 in the flock, is now a strapping young lad in grade school. He has a way of looking at you, with those blue eyes, that makes you feel as if he's looking right into your soul. He also has a sensitive side and a creative, crazy side that comes straight from his father. Liam may also be the best big brother in the world, who watches after his little bro and is usually tolerant of Henry's H-bombness.

Happy Birthday, Liam. You make granddaddy proud.

My Blogger dashboard is being obstinate tonight. You'll just have to scroll down to see the pix.

Blessings,

Ken

Stardust Celebrations

....my peek inside

Even though I officiate many weddings each year, it isn’t often I get a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on in the weeks and months leading up to the big day. However, I was recently given a peek behind the curtain, courtesy of Marsha Ballard French of Stardust Celebrations in Plano. A link to their website is below.

While I had known and worked with Marsha on specific weddings, my association with her was usually only on wedding day or at AACWP events, so I mainly knew her as one of the premier event planners in Texas. I was aware that she owned a bridal salon and I assumed—incorrectly—that it was a mom-and-pop that sold a few wedding dresses and shoes. Boy, was I ever wrong.

Recently Marsha invited me to come to Stardust Celebrations to meet with a couple getting married next year. Marsha is planning their event for them and very kindly gave me the opportunity to talk with them about having me officiate. Because I got there early, Marsha and some of the staff gave me a tour. I was not prepared for the scope of it all.  Two floors, thousands of square feet of wedding gowns, bridesmaid gowns, flower girl dresses, mother’s gowns, jewelry, shoes, accessories, tuxedos (and other men’s accessories) and more, much more. Mirrored walls are numerous. Staff are everywhere. Just walking in the front door, and being greeted, you get the feeling that this is a place of purpose and they know what they’re doing. In fact, two sentences I found on the Stardust website seem to sum up their mission: “Getting married happens in one day, planning a wedding takes months.”

Marsha and Stardust have been featured in magazines and television shows such as “Girl Meets Gown” on the WE Network (see more about this show and watch video by clicking HERE.) Marsha is a member and past president of the American Association of Certified Wedding Planners. She routinely is involved in training and mentoring the next generation of wedding planners by helping with AACWP classes and allowing interns to shadow her during event planning.

If I were to list all of the awards, magazine covers, magazine articles and other press given to Stardust, it would take a few pages, so I’ll just invite you to click HERE to see what others say about Stardust.

After my tour and visiting with my couple, I now know why each ceremony I’ve ever done where Marsha was involved, was organized and ran so smoothly. She makes it look easy, but I know it’s not.

You can learn more about Stardust Celebrations by clicking HERE, or visit them in person at 6464 W Plano Pkwy Plano,TX 75093 I haven’t yet had the opportunity to visit their other two stores, Lulu’s Bridal (located in uptown Dallas) and A Bridal Closet (located at Shops of Willow Bend, between Macy’s and Neiman’s.) Maybe I’ll get that invitation sometime.

My bride and groom are in good hands. My thanks to Marsha and the Stardust staff for a truly eye opening tour.

Blessings, 

Ken

Sydney's Song

...a father's heart is torn in two


Regular readers already know this story. On November 29, 2007 we got the news that our granddaughter, Sydney Grace, had died in utero due to a severe placental abruption. That sounds blunt, but it's the fact. Ian called me that day to break the news. Because we were so close to delivery date, I immediately answered my phone whenever I saw his name in the caller id. I picked up the phone expecting happy news, but no.


Sydney Grace was born still the next day; we almost lost Alyssa that day, but thanks to generous donors she received several units of blood which saved her life. Alyssa was in critical condition; my son had to make funeral arrangements for his daughter. No father should have to do that.


While there will never be any "getting over" Sydney's death, they decided to move forward and trust God for the future. Fortunately, God blessed them with Henry two years later. I don't really know if I could be that strong and I admire them for their faith.


I was somewhat aware that Ian was working on a project for Sydney and only a few weeks ago found out that he had been working on "Sydney's Song". The recording process took about a year. The result is now complete and can be heard, for free, or it can be downloaded in almost any format you want for a small donation. Proceeds will go to the Abba Fund at Desert Springs Church in Albuquerque--this fund is used to help couples with expenses incurred in the adoption process; Ian and Alyssa have decided they want a third child and have begun the journey to adopt.





I hope you'll click the link above and listen to the song. Even though it's initially about losing their daughter, it is ultimately about our knowledge that we can see her again, in heaven. BTW, a word about the little wind chimes you'll hear at the beginning and end of the song- at Sydney's memorial service several months later, Lyss gave us all little wind chimes to remember Sydney. We hung ours in the crepe myrtle over our garden bench. Sometimes when we sit there, the breeze makes the chimes tinkle and we always say "Hi, Sydney".


And sometimes, they make noise when there is no breeze at all.


Blessings,
Ken

Augustus

...surrounded by love

The look on Alexander's face says it all.

Blessings,
Ken