Bridal Party

A few words on our Bridal Party...

Kathi Salley Randall ~ Wedding Coordinator
Kathi and I met during my first straight-out-of-college job at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital Neonatal ICU. Season tickets to the Clippers, vacationing in Mexico, marathon training, double dates, Nationwide Girls Shopping trips... Oh the memories. KSR is the most organized detail oriented gal on the planet and my ffff (favorite funnest friend forever). The perfect Wedding Coordinator!

Lindsey Thomas ~ Matron of Honor
Lindsey and I met as Freshman at Oregon State University. Our college days were spent joined at the hip as we experienced sorority life, broken hearts, (we broke the hearts) Beaver games, all night study sessions, and the journey of graduating and entering the real world. Life has taken us to different parts of the country, but our bond has remained strong and we continue to do life together laughing (and sometimes crying) through every new adventure. Lindsey is my crafty, intelligent, artistic rock and a gift from God!

Rachel Clark ~ Maid of Honor
Rachel and I met at Comfort Zone Camp in Malibu. CZC is a camp for grieving children where Rachel and I volunteer. We became fast friends and I can't imagine my life without Rachel's energy, enthusiasm and example! We both share a love for all things musical theatre, will try just about anything (see photo above taken after a brief salsa dancing break and improvising with a hand made fan) and have had many cookie dough eating, pandora streaming, sleepovers.

Carolyn Edwards ~ Bridesmaid
Carolyn is the call-at-anytime-drop-everything-and-listen kind of friend that every girl should have. I'm so blessed that she's mine! We met 10 years ago when we were in different phases of life. Several years later we reconnected when I relocated to California. We discovered that were a whole lot more alike than different. The stories she could tell... Between mutually suffering through dating debacles, her gardening lessons,and marathon bargain shopping God knew we need each other!

Dana Everett ~ Bridesmaid / Sister of the bride
Dana is my baby sister and my friend. We've shared a lifetime of Hughie adventures. AND she's lived to tell of the times of my being the boss,(imagine that) choreographing dances to Cher and Michael Jackson hits, moving to a little tiny Oregon town (from lively Southern California) and walking all. that. way. to the bus stop in snow. She's grown into an amazing wife and mother (to our sweetness Elle) and I'm looking forward to the many years ahead of memories with the Blalock / Everett crew.

Katie Blalock ~ Junior Bridesmaid
Katie is Tim's niece. Since she made the list of Tim's Top 10 kids she has to be pretty cool. I got to know her while we cruised the Caribbean last Winter. She is an intelligent, genuine, beautiful, mature, athletic high schooler who is a ton of fun to be around. I look forward to watching her continue to learn and grow. No doubt she'll make LaLa and Uncle Bo proud!!!

Olivia Pierce ~ Bridesmaid
Olivia (also known as OHRIBEEUH) and I met when we were 10 years old and I was the new kid at Sisters Middle School. She was in the in crowd and was kind enough to befriend me. She was (and continues to be) one of the smartest, wisest and even funniest women of God and brings so much JOY to my life. We've traveled to the Caribbean, Asia and up and down the West Coast and have much of the globe left to cover as travel companions. I'm forever grateful for our friendship!!

Tirza Wibel ~  Honorary Bridesmaid
Tirza and I met in 7th Grade Math Class and my academic, social and spiritual development have been all the sweeter with Tirza by my side. Summer jobs at Black Butte Ranch, student council, ballet class, college tours (and ending up as Freshman roommates in the athlete dorm) nursing home volunteer afternoons... just for fun, high school dances, and my first friend to be married and a real grown up. I may not make my own bread quite yet but Tirza has so much to teach me about being a wife and mother and is my go-to girl!  Tirza is expecting a baby boy the month after our wedding so she will have to stay in Oregon.  She’ll be with us in spirit!

A Little Bit of Dylan and Miss Molly Madelyn

 I flew into Portland late last night.  My internal clock was still on Memphis time, around 2:30AM.  Considering I spent the lunch hour cheering on runners during a summer high heat advisory, I was dehydrated, whiny, sweaty and a bit tired.  (Cue violins). This made for bleary eyes searching for luggage and heading to long term parking with my coworker who lives in Portland and was nice enough to give me a ride to Lindsey's house. 

I love that the instant I set eyes on my bestie, Lindsey, it's like no time has past at all.  She greeted me at the door and snuck me to her 2 month old precious daughter's bedside.  I laid eyes on Molly Madelyn, who was sleeping peacefully and so angelic.  Lindsey's always dreamed of having a little girl of her own, and I'm so happy to see that she now has Molly Madelyn!! 

I awoke to the morning light and the pitter patter of two rambuncous feet shouting about garbage trucks and needing water.  Music to my ears.  Four year old Dylan is my buddy and pal and, even though Timothy has never actually met Dylan in person, we both feel a deep connection to his hilarious sense of humor, intelligence and ability to make us laugh outloud.  Even if we are only hearing the tales of Dylan from his mother via the telephone.

I headed upstairs to say hello to Dylan and was greeted with an enthusiastic, Melinda!  You're in MY house?  It kind of made me a little sad hearing Melinda.  So clear and so non toddler speakish.  He used to call me BUHLINDA (with a BIG emphasis on the "B") and somehow along the way he's realized it's Melinda, with an "M".  I sort of adored the way he said my name.

I got to pick out Molly Madelyn's clothes (Lindsey know I have baby fever - big time) and help Dylan find his green crocs and we were off to D's swim lessons.

Mr. Dylan Jackson.  Big brother, 4 year old, pre-schooler, lover of cars, and swimmer. 

He's got the sunscreen routine down.  Even if his lesson is only a half an hour and it's 10AM.  You can never be too careful.  

Who knew this could be so much fun?  Even before getting in the water!!!

D. brought his new cars to class.  Timothy picked out each and every one of them and asked me to bring them to Dylan so that he'd have a present from California.  I love that about my man.  He's so incredibly thoughtful, and a big kid at heart as well!

Not one bit shy about the water.



Hi Mom, Melinda and Molly Madelyn!!

And here she is, Miss Molly Madelyn herself.  

She's beautiful in every way.

Especially when she smiles.

A mellow babe, content to sit in the shade.  

Meanwhile, Dylan is leading his class through the hula hoop...

...and trying out a life jacket!

He's earned a few trips down the big frog slide...

...and the mention of a warm cozy towel and dry clothes is all that can get this boy out of the water!

YAY from Miss Molly!

And Mr. Independent has dressed himself.  This is only after he has pleaded with his (very fashion savvy) mom, But mom!  Those aren't the cool shorts.  I wanna look cool, Mom!  How does a 4 year old exactly know what clothes are cool and not cool.  He says the darndest things!!!!



I guess they sort of frown on prolonged breath holding.  Now what fun is that?

Love you Dylan and Molly!!!