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My Son’s Wedding Day – What I Will Remember

Shellie Bowdoin — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 13:31:18 +0000

The FAB Journey

My son’s wedding day was beautiful in every way. Two vibrant young people said “I do” at an altar; surrounded by family and friends…one, a boy I’ve poured love into for the past 23 years and the other, a lovely girl who’s charm and sheer cuteness has stolen our hearts.

The newly-married couple smiled

and laughed,

and danced,

and kissed,

and smiled some more…while those of us who love them basked in the blessing of their union and in the optimism and hope of young love. And ultimately, that’s what we’ll remember most.

But, that’s not all I’ll remember.

I’ll also remember the caravan of cars that left Greenville, South Carolina, well before the crack of dawn to make the long day’s trip to Springfield, Missouri. The hugfest that ensued as all of the cousins folded themselves out of the car.

The day just wouldn’t have been the same without all the “girl” cousins there to watch their only boy get married.

I’ll remember my brother-in-law who took his precious days off to spend the week with us. I’ll remember how my sister-in-love missed most of the reception to make sure things were done in the kitchen. I’ll remember catching a glimpse of my life-long friend keeping the appetizers replenished, only to find out later that she spent the whole reception washing up serving dishes.

I’ll remember…

…the pride of watching the oldest cousin direct the whole affair with calm confidence and a smile,

…the row of proud grandparents (and a proud grand-aunt) dabbing wet eyes,

…my glowing baby girl gazing at her brother with sparkling eyes; knowing she was gaining a sister,

…God holding back the rain just in time because His timing is always perfect.

Oh, and there was the rehearsal dinner prepared by the loving hands of missionary aunts and uncles who have been our second family throughout our years in Asia…born not of blood, but out of years of love and shared experiences.

A sincere thanks and gratitude rises in my heart…I am blessed to have a loving family and loyal friends.

My son’s wedding was beautiful and they both basked in their special day. And our precious friends and family? They were all there for them, and I know…they were all there for me. Because, in the end, that’s what family does…and I’ll remember it all.

^4-6In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t.

Romans 12: 5-6 – The Message

~ Shellie

All professional photography by Sutera Studios.

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Fry Bread And Family – Wonderful Wednesday

Shellie Bowdoin — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 00:51:36 +0000

The FAB Journey

I love Christmas for many reasons, but family time is undoubtedly my favorite. My son just came in early Sunday morning for a three-week visit. And of course, we did what we do best as a family…EAT! I made fry bread tacos, which is his favorite meal. So, we enjoyed fry bread and family time on his first day back!

Fry bread and family are the perfect combination at our house. So, do your kids have a favorite meal they request as soon as they hit the front door? I bet they do! I would love to hear what it is. Share your family favs in the comments below.

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Co-Host Christine Mello // Must Love Home //Gingerbread Man Cupcakes//Love taste of Gingerbread Men? Whip up adorable Gingerbread Man Cupcakes. Perfect for holiday potlucks and bake sales. Bakes in less than an hour!
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The Fabulous Journey// Fabulous Journey // Controlling Your Weight Over The Holidays // Several scattered parties and special occasions do not have to send you careening off the weight wagon. As long as you remember one important thing when it comes to controlling weight over the holidays…Everyday can’t be a party.
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Your Co-Hosts Picks From Last Week

Co-Host Pick By Christine Mello of Must Love Home // Tiger Strypes // Holiday Spice Ornaments Co-Host Pick By Christine of Cherishing a Sweet Life // Cooking With Carlee // Hot Chocolate Gift Basket

Co-Host Pick By Evija of From Evija With Love // Flamingo Toes // Plaid Christmas Deer Dish Towel

Co-Host Pick By Ashleigh of Wright Simply // Sweet Things // Magazine Christmas Trees

Co-Host Pick By Donna of Two Chicks and a Mom // Busy Being Jennifer // DIY Sock Snowman
Co-Host Pick by Shellie of The Fabulous Journey // Atta Girl Says//Vintage Christmas Decorations on The Porch

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Host Pick Karren of Oh My Heartsie Girl //Growing Up Gabel // Salted Caramel Pecan Rolls

Host Pick by Karren of Oh My Heartsie Girl // Panoply// Tips on a Highly Organized Christmas Party

Host Pick by Karren of Oh My Heartsie Girl // Life Anchored // Reindeer Noses Treats

Host Pick by Karren of Oh My Heartsie Girl // Thelma’s Days //Christmas Pickle Tradition

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The Best Family Memories Are Often Not-So-Perfect Moments

Shellie Bowdoin — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 12:21:41 +0000

The FAB Journey

What are your fondest family memories? If you were to sit down around the table to reminisce with family or close friends, what is the first story you would tell? I bet it would be a story filled with chaos and mishaps. Why? Because our best stories and fondest memories are often forged from not-so-perfect moments.

Not-So-Perfect Moments

Some of my family’s favorite stories and inside jokes come from a stopover we made in Hawaii on one of our trips home from Asia. Now, one might think that they would center on the beautiful scenery or the gorgeous weather, but no. We love to reminisce about our trip to the Dole pineapple plantation.

There, we took a 20 minute tram ride to see fields of black soil, because all of the pineapples had been harvested the week before. The story gets even funnier when we get to the part where our tram ride through fields of dirt was fully narrated and accompanied by Hawaiian music! We laugh and laugh when retelling the story, but at the time it was less than impressive.

Actually, on that same stop, my daughter and I developed one of our most enduring inside jokes. While browsing the gift shop, she noticed that I was the only mom there who was actually wearing a full t-shirt instead of a tank top over a swimsuit; and there were A LOT of people there. Since then, she has pointed out with a smile, “You’re not wearing the Mom uniform!”

We had another planes, trains and automobiles experience years ago in Thailand. Whenever we are around our good friends for any length of time we still laugh about that day. In the context of one vacation, we had to abandon our travel plans because of a storm. Then, we disembarked the train in the pitch black with our young kids and suitcases in tow. Finally, we ended up sleeping, seven-dwarfs style, in a room with nine beds lined up side-to-side and a splash bath. Absolutely nothing went as planned, but we had a blast because we were all in it together.

The Best Memories Are Seldom Perfect

Our favorite, most cherished family memories are seldom the ones where everything goes perfectly.

Our favorite, most cherished family memories are seldom the ones where everything goes perfectly.
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I think they stay in the forefront of our memories because we experience them, flaws and all, together.

We are all keenly aware that real life is full of imperfections. We want to make things just right for our kids and we want to give them everything they ever thought they wanted. But ultimately, what they want most from us is our time and our attention.

Oh, and it should be mentioned that our kids don’t always know what they need or want. It’s up to the parent, with the fully developed frontal lobe that controls judgement and insight, to decide what family experiences to engage in.

Whether or not everything goes exactly as we planned, in the end it is the time spent together, the good and mostly the bad, that they will remember and bring up years in the future.

In the end it is the time spent together, the good and mostly the bad, that they will remember
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It’s never too late to get out there and make some family memories.

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The Last Fun Summer Finds

Shellie Bowdoin — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 03:29:12 +0000

The FAB Journey

As much as I love to shop, nothing compares to the precious moments I have shared with my family this summer.

This last year was a transition time for us all as my son left home to attend college. This mama really struggled with watching her first chick fly from the nest. I shared in an earlier post just how special it was to finally see him come through those doors at the airport a few weeks ago. It had been a long six months, but he has grown more assured and confident over this year and I am confident that all is just as it should be.

Fast forward one month and my mother-in-law had her moment welcoming her baby boy home from Asia. It’s funny…no matter how big they get, they are always babies in their mamas’ eyes.

This is the sixth and final week of Fun Summer Finds. I have had a blast sharing my finds with you and seeing all the great things you have been doing this summer.

Now, it’s your turn, what have you been up to? I am looking forward to seeing your #funsummerfinds!! Please remember to grab the button or include a link in your post, so others can find the linkup!

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Kath of 60 Is The New 40 showed us how to make a DIY moisturizer for our Summer skin .

DIY Moisturizer

Alexis of Chemistry Cachet shared a yummy, light summer yogurt recipe.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Frozen Yogurt

Pam of Over 50 Feeling 40 shared an enthusiastic story of hope topped off with a cute outfit.

Career Reinvention: Next Step Hope and A Fun Outfit

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