Rakkassan Brigade Ball

Our friends Jimmie & Kandi Edwards and us went to the Nashville Temple and then the 101st 3rd Brigade Ball at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and then stayed over night there.  It was a great day.  When we were leaving Doug said, I don't know what I'm most excited about: the temple with my wife, the ball with my wife, or staying overnight with my wife. =)

It was a great day.  Doug's parents watched our boys for us which was a huge blessing.  Doug has been praying for months and has felt really good about looking into the Coeur d'Alene, Idaho area for a dental position after we're done with our Army commitment in a year.  In the temple, I was praying about it and it settles well with me too.  So we'll see how we feel when we're up there this summer. I'm praying if it's were we should serve then the Lord will open doors and windows for a great job for Douglass.

Dressing Up, Dinner, and Dancing along with a great keynote speaker, a Major General, who's speech was inspirational to all in attendance.  He discussed his two favorite subjects: Leadership & Rakkassan.

 I don't remember his name, but he led the ceremony.

 This was the table set for the fallen soldiers.  It's part of tradition. Luckily, no a single Rakkassan soldier was lost this last mission to Afghanistan.  I count my blessings everyday that Doug came home safe to us and mentally/spiritually/emotionally the same too.  

 This is another tradition:  the "grog" bowl.  They go through history of the Rakkassan's and add a bunch of items (mostly alcohol) to the bowl.  For example:  Saki from Japan and Sand/Rock from Afghanistan.

 The "Tori" has long been the Rakkassan symbol.

 Doug and I had a great time dancing.  I did think to myself that it felt like a high school dance but with all adults.  I appreciated that they played music from my high school days and kept it clean. 

I have to share the story of my "ensemble".  I struggled finding something that was classy and my age to wear to the ball.  A few days before the ball, I found this skirt and LOVED the diagonal ruffles. I also found this white blouse but it was in a size 10, too big.  I went again the next day to return the many other "options" I had previously purchased.  I searched the store again, I mean dug through the racks to see if I could find this in my size.  I wold have been happy with an 6 or and 8, but really needed a size 4.  A while later my mother in law joined me and I told her what I was hoping to find.  She walked over to a rack near by and in 3 seconds pulled out a size 4.  "Miracle!" I say.  She says, "God loves you."  I know this was a an answer to my prayers as I had said a prayer between JCPenny's and Dillards that I might find this top in my size as it was modest, classy, and fun and would work well with my ruffly skirt.  I added my red wedding shoes and felt it was PERFECT for the occasion.