Mess and Moxie Tour

 I've loved Jen Hatmaker since my daughters sent me her reflection as a parent on the last weeks of school.  It was hilarious and so true.  So, when I found out she was coming to St. Louis, I leaped at the chance to go with a few church friends.

 We were very fortunate that it was at a nearby church, but when I walked in I noticed something---I appeared to be the oldest person in the room!!  I guess I expected more mother-daughter groups since my daughters were the ones who introduced me to her writing.

 She did not disappoint---came out with her phone to photograph us "live".  She was as funny as ever talking about how her house seems so empty with only 3 children at home (2 are in college).  She told her husband, "I can't cook---not just for 5 of us.  We are empty nesters!"

 There was a nice variety to the show---Jen with her "sermons", Jen and her friend Nichole just chatting like they were not on a stage, but at Starbucks.  The topic for the evening was "pain".  After a few humorous stories about child birth, she got to the pain she is still working through---click here.

 They had several opportunities for audience prizes.  One was for one person and 4 friends to visit with everyone after the show on the tour bus.  They announced the name of the winner, "Jaclyn" and the long pause and then they flashed this on the screen.  LOL!

 Nicole Nordemann was a wonderful addition to the tour although I'd never heard of her before.  She is from Tulsa and seems every bit as wise as Jen Hatmaker and pretty humorous in her own right. Plus, she writes music and sings!

The whole evening lasted about 3 hours including an intermission.  Sadly, I was in the middle of an allergy attack and could hardly breathe but still I wouldn't have missed it.

Colorado Wedding Part 3

 The Reception was also held at Cheyenne Mountain Resort with a pre-reception on the patio outside our room.

Barb with 2 neighborhood "kids"

Parkway West Friends

Steve and Jason

St. Mark friends---Dundons

Barb with another neighborhood "kid"

Sand art created by family members

Mike and Dave

3 Ohio Ladies

Fathers of the Couple

Mother of the Groom (and possible relative of mine)

My Favorite---Father Daughter Dance

Colorado Wedding Part 2

Rebecca and former neighbor Kate

The Wedding was held at Cheyenne Mountain Resort, just down the hill from where we stayed.  Most of us rode the shuttle bus, but Jason and Roman walked down.  The wedding was on the chipping green with a beautiful view of the mountains.  There was even a table with activities to entertain the children.  The wedding party consisted mostly of family members.

Brother and Mother of the Bride

Son and Mother of the Groom

The Groom

Daughter of the Groom

Parkway West and St. Mark friend of the Bride

Father of the Bride and the Bride

Colorado Wedding Part 1

 We arrived at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort and were treated to a wonderful room with beautiful views from the Lobby area. Our room was off the courtyard (see above).  We were treated to a beautiful and delicious buffet dinner Friday night provided by the Rahalewich Family.  Meanwhile we had a great time visiting with old friends from St. Mark Presbyterian who had moved away.  Our daughter, son-in-law and grandson were also there---they had a great time, too, catching up with "church friends" including the bride.

Rahalewich family

Lunch and Art

 Fran, Sue, Kathy and I used to teach together: English, Spanish, French and German teachers.  We are mostly retired and now go out to lunch every few months.  Since the St. Louis Art Museum just opened a new wing, we decided to meet there for lunch and browsing.  Although we were told we should have made reservations at least 24 hours in advance, they were able to seat us.  We had turkey, curry chicken salad and trout sandwiches with a cantaloupe and peach beverage (which we at first thought was salad dressing)

After lunch we visited the new East wing which had mostly modern art---some very good and some that looked like raw hide bones.  One looked like it had pieces of my old Camaro.

 As we crossed into the "old" section we noticed  a "wishing tree".  So we each added a wish to the wishing tree.  There have been many new exhibits added outside including one with Missouri limestone  arches.

There were several old familiar pieces, then I noticed this French portrait next to a bust of Louis XIV and said, "I think I know who this is---a relative of mine who was married to Louis XIV after she was his mistress---Francoise d'Aubigne' " (click on the link to see several of her portraits) But the chins look a little different. . . artistic license?

Madame de Maintenon

Portrait of a Woman

Madame de Maintenon AKA Francoise d'Aubigne

For more than you want to know about my genealogy, click here.

 The St. Francis above is one of my favorites because it looks so  contemporary with the browns---love the lines and the light.  Below is a painting that both Fran and her sister have copies of in their homes:  New York City near Central Park on a rainy day.