Showers of Blessings

In the past month, Kristi has enjoyed four bridal showers. The first one took place on April 26 at John's parent's house in Mandan, ND. The shower was given by John's sisters. This was the first opportunity Kristi had to meet John's extended family. There sure are a lot of cousins to meet on that side!! We enjoyed playing some fun shower games and just having the opportunity to visit with everyone. While Kristi was enjoying the shower, John was at the new house continuing his home improvement projects. John & Kristi also spent some time looking at new furniture they hope to put in the new house at some point in the future. Kristi and John's mom also had the opportunity to do some shopping for Joan's dress for the wedding. We didn't find one, but it was nice to have the opportunity to spend time together.

The next two showers were less than a week later on Friday, May 2. John was invited to participate in both of them, and he flew down to St. Louis to do just that! Kristi's 4th grade students and their parents threw a surprise shower for her during the school day. Kristi's mom, Vicki, and her Grandma Milkert were both able to attend. The kids had fun surprising "Miss Brasher" and spending more time with "Mr. Voeller". We had a great time playing the "Newlywed Game"...and did pretty well with it! That evening, Kristi's teaching staff held a "couples shower" for the church and school staff. We had a lot of fun! Jessie, a 3rd grade teacher on Kristi's staff, is getting married in June, so they made it a double shower.

The fourth shower was also a surprise, taking place in Springfield, Missouri, where Kristi used to live and teach for her first 6 years of teaching. Kristi took her mom to Springfield/Branson for the weekend as a Mother's Day gift. Saturday evening, some of Kristi's friends organized a group of friends to meet at a local Chinese restaurant, Mr. Yen's, for what Kristi thought would be a casual meeting of friends, but it was a surprise shower. One of her jokester friends was quite disappointed that her quest for the perfect shower gift that morning was not so successful...she had planned to give Kristi a SNOW SHOVEL!!! But, there were none for sale in Springfield, MO in mid-May!!! Kristi was able to catch up with several good friends, former students & their parents at church the next morning. Kristi felt a bit old seeing her 1st kindergarten students, now taller than her and in college...then finding out that several of her former middle school students are getting married this summer!!!!