Happy Days are Here Again!

Happy days ARE here again!  Michael and Tara were married on August 16, 2013 on the pretty grounds of the Two Rivers Clubhouse in Adam's neighborhood.   Tara looked so beautiful and Michael looked so handsome and happy.  What a blessing to be loved and to have someone to love after more than two years of emotional loneliness.  The children Olivia and Kenna (Tara's) and Ava, Mason and Parker were excited for this day and active participants.  The Michael Shipp family is now a family of 7!

Backing up one day....to the evening before the wedding, Mindy threw a wonderful party for the couple and their two respective families in her backyard...all decorated with Japanese lanterns, twinkly lights, poster size pictures of the honored two, lovely tables and yummy food. (Through all of Michael's ordeal, Mindy has been the most supportive, loving, generous, and helpful sister Michael could have!)  Ryan and Julie's family flew in from Henderson so the Shipp's were all there.  Tara's family is all from the Boise area, and it was nice to meet all of Tara's family circle. 

 

 

(Pre wedding pictures taken on my camera)

 

 

 Love this one of our four terrific, good looking  children!  Love them so much!!!!!           

As we were making last minute preparations for the wedding......in walked Sally and Alan!  We had not talked about them attending and I knew they were spending their summer at their cabin in Washington, so when they appeared, I was filled with joy!  Nancy and Don made the trip to Boise as well and were waiting in their seats for the wedding to begin while I chatted with the Bolles unaware that the Van Slootens were also there.  I appreciated the love and support of my wonderful sisters!

 

 

 

 The wedding ceremony went perfectly.  Mason and Parker walked down the grassy aisle as ring bearers being so careful to do things just right, then entered flower girl, Ava, looking so pretty in her pink fluffy dress, and then came Tara, holding hands with her two daughters, Livy and Kenna...a perfect touch for  the "family" Michael was marrying to come down the aisle together.  Michael and Adam's bishop and friend, Sam Smith, performed the ceremony and at the conclusion, the music began and each of the children boogied up the aisle one at a time...Mason and Parker getting "into it" a little more than the others.  (Above the bridal party smiles as Mason struts his stuff!)

The reception, delicious food and dancing followed, beginning with Michael and Tara's first dance as husband and wife, and then the Shipp granddaughters and grandsons got into the action!  The girls loved dancing "on stage" and the boys loved the attention.  They made it a party! 

We look forward to the day in the near future when these two can be sealed in the temple.  They were temple worthy and ready on this day, but it may take some time for Tara's sealing cancelation, so all thought it best for them to get married civilly first.  That will be a happy, happy day! Bill and I know that Michael and Tara are committed to each other and to making a happy, gospel-centered...Christ centered home for themselves and for their children.

Michael posted this on Facebook...."Love each other well for the sake of your marriage, but also for the sake of your children.  They are watching you closely and you are teaching them how they should treat their future spouse and how they should expect to be treated.  Create the kind of marriage that your kids would want to have someday!"