My Brother's Wedding

On Saturday I had the opportunity to attend my oldest brother's wedding. A few days before the wedding however, my Dad and Step Mom got a condo in Seaside so we could spend some time together while they were out this way. The condo was fantastic, the weather was incredible and you couldn't have beat the company! Spencer and I absolutely love hanging out with my parents and we are so grateful that they make a point to vacation close enough so that we can join them. We arrived in Seaside Wednesday evening and during our stay there we flew kites on the beach, swam in the swimming pool, searched the boardwalk for the best saltwater taffy store, and hit the Outlet mall. One of the most interesting events that happened while we were there was when Spencer took the kids to the pool while I was packing up our suitcases. As the boys were swimming around in the pool, Austin happened to find a quarter laying on the bottom. He was so excited. Then shortly thereafter, Cameron found one. Then all of the sudden quarters started appearing all over. Spencer said he heard a "ka-plunk" sound in the water and so he looked up and saw a man on the second level, standing on his deck, with a hand full of quarters throwing them in for the boys. The boys made out like bandits with fists full of quarters. I thought that was pretty cool! On Friday we checked out and drove up to Federal Way, WA arriving in time for the rehearsal ceremony and dinner. Saturday was the day of the wedding. It was held at a really beautiful church that my brother and his bride attend. This is my brothers second time around with marriage. Unfortunately his first wife didn't live up to the commitment she made to him when they were married and he ended up with a really broken heart. It took him a good amount of time to heal, and he prayed that when the Lord felt he was ready to meet someone again that it would happen. Well it did ... he met Lisa. Lisa is wonderful! She has accepted Derek the way he is and loves his little girls like her own. Our family has been overjoyed. The wedding and reception was very nicely done. I was asked to read some "Words of Wisdom" during the ceremony which I was happy to do. Although my family wasn't complete since my brother Cory and wonderful step sister Brittany couldn't make it, I was very happy to be re-united with my other brother, Thayne and his family. They had never met my two youngest boys and I had never met their youngest either. We all stayed at my Mom's house together, which made for late nights and early mornings. We had a great visit and I am grateful for events like these that bring my family together. Daily life, and living thousands of miles away from each other takes it's toll on staying close. I do vow to be better and make a stronger effort to be an active part of each of my siblings life and I hope they will do the same.