Archives for July 2016

Mother of the Bride Book Launch Party

IMG_6807Mother of the Bride, weddings aren’t the only thing that call for celebrations, are they? The birth of a baby is another one. And since I’ve birthed a book baby recently, I’d say that calls for a celebration. So celebrate we did!

I was so happy to have friends and family gather with me this past weekend for the launch party for my new book Mother of the Bride. I posted photos of the party on my home page since I’m doing some Summer Photo Fun there for a few weeks. I’m thinking you might like to take a peek into that very special event, too.

So pop on over, MOB! Today I’m inviting you to join the fun on my home page! Hope you enjoy!

*You can find out more about Mother of the Bride at MotheroftheBridebook.com

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter comes out next week. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Photo above by my son-in-law Shawn

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Summer Photo Fun: My Book Launch Party!

IMG_6652Summer Photo Fun wouldn’t be complete this year without featuring one of the most exciting events of my summer—my book launch party!

To be honest, this summer has been an intense one for me, filled with all the work necessary to help launch and market a book. So when Mother of the Bride finally made its way out into the world, believe me, it called for a party!

So today, friends, enjoy a few shots from that special celebration. I’m still in awe and still praising God for allowing me to share Mother of the Bride with the world. May it bless many!

IMG_6670Visiting with long-time friend Pam and my husband’s cousin Lyssa.

IMG_6684Heather, a friend from church, looking at my website.

IMG_6655The cake turned out great! Thanks, Becky!

IMG_6690My dad, flanked by long-time friends Lynn and Diane and Larry and Paula, chose one of the door prize winners.

IMG_6719I read a chapter about the father of the bride to help keep the men in the crowd interested :)

IMG_6807Signing books was part of the fun. Thanks, Norma, Janet, and Becky for coming!

IMG_6761Teri, Cara, and Phyllis looking at the my book with interest. Yay! :)

IMG_6791Two of my sisters, Janice and Carolyn, live within driving distance so could come celebrate with me. I also talked them into serving the cake and punch!

IMG_6738A huge thanks to my daughter Kristin and son-in-law Shawn for being my tech-team extraordinaire throughout my publication journey and also for allowing me to share so freely about their lives in my book. My mother of the bride experience started with them! (Since my other daughter Kelli’s due date is drawing closer, she and her husband Jake couldn’t travel to be with us.)

Thanks for sharing in my joy today, friends!

“Rejoice with those who rejoice;” Romans 12:15a

*How can I celebrate with you? What blessing has come your way this summer?

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter comes out next week. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Photos by Shawn

Summer Photo Fun: Name This Location!

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Are you ready, friends, for some more Summer Photo Fun? Each year during July and early August (when my husband is on break from teaching), I feature some fun photo posts rather than my usual inspirational/devotional style posts. I like to take a more casual approach to blogging for a few weeks and hopefully you’ll still leave here feeling refreshed, encouraged, or nourished in some way.

Today let’s have a little “Name This Location” challenge. Who can tell me where the photo above was taken? Let’s see who can turn in the first correct guess!

I hope you’re having a wonderful summer and getting to do a little traveling and photo-taking of your own. Enjoy your location today wherever you are!

“‘I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go . . .’” Genesis 28:15a

*So what’s the location above? Good luck with your guess!

*My photo

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out next week. Sign-up is free and to the right!

A Peek at Mother of the Bride’s Chapter Titles

Google+ BannerMother of the Bride, would you like a closer look at the contents of my recently released book Mother of the Bride: Refreshment and Wisdom for the Mother of the Bride?

This is not a complete list, but here are many of the chapter titles you’ll find in Mother of the Bride. Hope they spark your interest!

*First Things First: Start with Fun

*Sleep—What’s That?: The MOB Brain Stuck in Overdrive

*When God Is Your Wedding Planner: Finding the Ultimate Coordinator

*Whose Wedding Is This: Finding a Balance

*To Have and To Hold . . . Until She Gets Married

*Mother of the Bride: No Job for a Weakling

*Father of the Bride: Make Room for Daddy

*The Man of Her Dreams Becomes Your Son: Coming to Grips with the Groom

*Bye, Bye, Comfort Zone: Diving into Unfamiliar Waters

*Lean On Me: The MOB’s Support Team

*Life Goes On, Too?: It’s Not All about the Wedding

*When Dreams Become Disasters: The Dreaded Horror Stories

*The MOB Dress: Time to Splurge on You

*Coming Down the Homestretch: Make a List and Hang On

*And Then There Were Tears: Expect a Meltdown

*Letting It Unfold: Enjoy the Wedding Weekend

Also, as a special gift at the back of the book, you’ll find all the vendor worksheets you’ll need, MOB, to help you with your planning. I pray that Mother of the Bride will be a blessing to you!

*Find links where you can buy the book on the sidebar to the right!

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out next week. Sign-up is free and to the right!

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A Winner Plus A Message for the Newlyweds

12893863323_341719a366_zThe day has come—time to announce the winner of the Mother of the Bride Book Launch Giveaway! That lucky winner is . . . drumroll, please . . . Susan Best! Congrats, Susan! I’ll get your winnings to you as soon as possible. I hope you enjoy each and every item and find my book to be super helpful and encouraging.

And now a little gift for the rest of you—a special message you can share with your sweet soon-to-be newlyweds! Perhaps you could share this message with them by reading it at the wedding reception during the time for toasts or perhaps you could mail it to them in a card. It could be a sweet surprise waiting for them as they return from their honeymoon.

Hope you enjoy sharing this with the new Mr. and Mrs.!

For You, Dear Newlyweds

What a joy it’s been to watch
Your story of love unfold,
From dating to engagement to marriage vows
You’ve made the perfect couple.
The wedding may be over now
But there’s still much to celebrate,
A chance to say “I do” again
Each day for the rest of your lives.
Right now that may seem easy
But days of challenge may lie ahead,
Keep saying “I do”, keep choosing love,
The rewards will surely come.
One day you’ll be that older couple
That everyone admires,
They’ll see your lasting mutual love
And decide to work for their own.
But today live life as newlyweds
Enjoy these fleeting days,
And in the process you’ll inspire
Others to choose love again.

Copyright © Cheryl Barker

*When you read this piece or print it out, please give attribution by saying it’s by Cheryl Barker, author of Mother of the Bride. Thanks!

*You might also like to read A Prayer for the Newlyweds and Gift Idea: The Newlywed’s Instruction Manual.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early August. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Flickr photo by KerriNikolePhotography, Creative Commons License