Wedding Over, New Chapter Begun

Yesterday was our oldest daughter's wedding day.  I believe everything turned out as wonderfully as possible for Jessica and Martin.  They were surrounded by family, a pastor, and friends who were very supportive and who gave of their time and resources to show their love.  Wonderful people cleaned, set up chairs, decorated, hung dozens of snowflakes, lights, and tulle.  Family members cooked a rehearsal dinner and reception dinner with food, cake, and drinks to spare.  Dear friends helped un-decorate, un-set up, clean, organize, load, and transfer hundreds of chairs and props.  Scott and I were there until the last light was turned off and door was locked.  The best man and crew were still placing chairs in the church building at 11:00 p.m.  We came home very grateful for our wonderful friends and church family.
Today was day "one" of our lives without Jessica in the house.  I did keep looking over my shoulder, wondering if she'd zip through the kitchen or burst through the door - nothing but quiet.  Jessica's wedding gear and several boxes of odds and ends still occupy one corner of her bedroom (until her return from the honeymoon....).  Alyssa now has her own bedroom which we organized and cleaned today.  She has the entire closet to herself!  This frees our hall closet for our coats.  Hallelujah!  I am trying to focus on the "bright" side of the change, although it seems like the second wedding in our family was a little harder on me emotionally than the first.
We have already hung her bridal portrait next to Victoria's in the living room.  There is space for one more, but we won't go there.  I have praised the Lord for bringing Jessica into and through our lives.   The road has been a challenge but it has been an exciting journey.  Someone asked me what was different about mine and Jessica's relationship.  I had to answer that I have had to chase, pull, out-think, out-plan, out-smart, stay a step ahead of this child since we brought her home from the hospital.  There has never been a dull moment, there could not be.  Every day brought hundreds of questions and comments , "Let's go, Mommy", "What's next, Mommy?", "Why that, Mommy?", "I'll do it myself", "Let me try", etc...  My standby response to Jessica since she was two was "Remember, I am the the mommy and you are a child.  Repeat - I am a child"....  Since she was five-year's-old I've never had to call in a pizza order, answer the home phone, order at the drive through, take drink "orders" from guests, program the VCR, or give her order at a restaurant.  I may have to start doing these things now, but I don't have to stay a step ahead or outsmart her....I think.
What's next in our future?  It's a little more simple - candy selling, an orthodontist appointment on Monday, and piano lessons.  Merry Christmas!