Quick Chicago trip!

I got to attend my cousin's wedding in Chicago!

Over a month ago, my Dad got sick with stomach flu & pneumonia. He had a difficult time regaining his strength after his illness. My parents had received an invitation to my cousin's wedding, but we all decided that my Dad was not strong enough to go. My Mom still wanted to go, so she could see her siblings who live in and around Chicago. So I got to go on a whirlwind weekend trip with my mom.

My hubby and kids dropped us off at the airport, and my uncle picked us up at the O'Hare airport around 9:30. It was great to see my Uncle Arnie and his wife Barb. They were wonderful hosts! They even loaned us their nice car to use, and it had a nice navigation system!

One of the things that we decided to do right away was to visit my step-Grandma, whose health was failing. My mom was so sweet and attentive with her. It was sad to be there, knowing it may have been the end of her life. Sadly, she passed away four days after we left. I'm so glad that we visited her, even though she mostly slept.

She had two beautiful violets on her windowsill, along with a lot of family pictures.

That evening, before the opening ceremony of the Olympics was on tv, we took my aunt and uncle out for dinner. My mom wanted Chicago-style pizza. I really can't eat pizza these days, but I had a delicious salad. The bad part was that the restaurant was really loud.

The pizza smelled SO good!

On Saturday we relaxed a little bit, visited Grandma again, and then we went to the Morton Arboretum in the afternoon. It was a beautiful green space with lots of flowers, trees from different countries, and cool HUGE statues. My uncle said it was opened and funded by the Morton Salt Company.

When I stood near this statue, I was not even half as tall. It was probably fifteen feet tall!

This was another huge statue, it looked like vines. I think it was really made of concrete or something rock-based. Very cool!

We found this tree really interesting. It is an American Basswood tree. It had two different leaves on it, and a berry coming out from one leaf.

This statue was named something about the body's senses. It was quite unusual!

The wedding was on Saturday evening in downtown Chicago. It was originally supposed to be outside on the roof of the building. However, on our way downtown, it poured! So the wedding was indoors. It took a little while after we got there before the wedding began. We enjoyed seeing and chatting with family while enjoying some water and champagne.

My aunt and my mom catching up...

Another uncle and aunt chatting...

The father of the bride (my uncle) and my cousin walking down the aisle.

My cousin and her new husband during the ceremony.

We went back downstairs again and hung out before the dinner began. My cousin's girls all had the same dresses. Their hair was so pretty! The youngest girl had such cute pigtails!

The room had this neat wall that was painted all different colors and it said "I love you" on each different block.

My cousin and her husband entering in the dinner reception.

The table decorations were very pretty.

My cousin, the bride's older sister was her maid of honor. She gave a very sweet speech.

My uncle welcomed everyone to the reception and gave a speech too. It was sweet to hear him talk about his relationship with my cousin. (his baby girl!)

My mom and my aunt at the reception.

My mom and I had a great time together!

The father of the bride and bride danced to "What a Wonderful World." 

We left a little early since my uncle's knee was bothering him. It was a great party! I missed my husband and kids though! 

We attended my uncle's church on Sunday. We also met at a local restaurant with some cousins and family that were not at the wedding. It was nice to see some extended family. I know my mom enjoyed seeing her siblings and their spouses a lot! I'm so glad that we were able to go together.

Have you attended any weddings lately? I'd love to hear about them!

Jeremiah 2:32
Does a young woman forget her jewelry, a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number.

Even Jesus and his disciples attended a wedding!

John 2:1-11

On the third day, a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.

Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink, but you have saved the best till now.”

What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

Revelation 19:7
Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.