Tying the Knot: Mom's Dance

The last and final part of the evening that had me a little apprehensive because of my Dad not being there was our family dances. Between a bride's walk down the aisle and a very important dance, there was definitely some consideration and sadness and fear and anxiety that came along with these two parts of our wedding. 

I also don't have a step-dad or uncle or grandpa that could have stepped in instead so J and I decided to do one dance together with our moms. So following the toasts, the four of us went out to the dance floor and shared a few minutes dancing to Carolina in My Mind by James Taylor. Without question this would have been the song I picked to dance to with my Dad had he been there because it's just so totally him, us, my family, so it was just the perfect song to play. 

This was definitely one of the toughest parts of our wedding for me personally. Well and I guess for my mom too. Not more than 5 seconds into the song the tears started flowing and let me tell you, they were the Ugly kind. But I cherish those moments I had with her out on the dance floor, holding her hand, feeling like a little girl again at least a little bit. It was so very special to both of us to share that dance together.

Meanwhile, J and his mom are spinning and twirling and laughing having no idea what's happening on the other side of the dance floor. Ce la vie, I guess?

All photos courtesy of Ignite Images.

Next up: It's Party Time

Need to catch up?

First we got ready

Then it was time for The Dress

Lovely bridesmaid photos

Our sweet Ollie pup

Handsome groomsmen photos

The Bride & Groom portraits

Our First Touch before the ceremony

Small wedding details

The start of our Ceremony (Readings & Ring Warming)

We're finally Husband & Wife

Formal family & wedding party photos

How we remembered missing family

Our pictures as Mr & Mrs

Our First Dance

Reception Dinner & Toasts

My Sweet, Sweet Boy

This post has been floating around in my head wanting to be written.... 

but my heart has been too sad. 

One week ago yesterday my mom said her (and our families) last goodbyes to our sweet boy Basil. 

It was almost 12 years to the day since we brought him home.... 

sometimes life just works in mysterious ways.

 Being in San Diego has made it hard for me to really realize that he's gone, to realize that he wont be there the next time I come home, loosing his balance on the wood floor in all his excitement. I wont be able to see his grayed face, ask him where his "dolly" is or share my bananas with him. 

 But I'll hold the memories of him close to my heart. I'll remember buying him his first kiddie pool for the summer, his shaved leg after surgery, and his kind way with our cat who never really liked him. I'll remember how hard I tried to convince my parents to let him sleep in my room and how since that first night he never slept anywhere else. 

 I'll remember him running along the fence barking, hiding under the deck when we weren't home and sunbathing until his heart was content. I'll remember his eager face waiting to come inside whenever he heard the garage door open. I'll remember his impeccable timing to always stand by his bowl for dinner at 5 o'clock each night. 

 I'll remember when he ate 3 dozen oatmeal cookies off the counter and didn't eat for 2 days after. I'll remember showing him off as a puppy to all my friends and how he brought my dad and I together all those years ago. I'll remember his keen sense of hearing whenever we were cutting veggies on the cutting board and how polite and gentle he always was.

I'll remember how he never really enjoyed playing fetch and how he'd much rather be sitting or laying by your side the whole day. I'll remember how he truly was a member of our family, not just our pet. I'll remember how he hated suitcases because he loved us so much and I will always remember how much I loved him. 

I know my mom made the right decision for him. I know it can be so easy to be selfish and not want them to go. But I also know that now he is his old self again, that he isn't suffering anymore and that he is the happy, wonderful, sweet, sweet boy that I love so dearly. 

He will always be my boy and I will always be his girl. 

I love you and I miss you Basil. 

Mother's Day Gift Idea

For those of you who aren't thinking about it yet, Mother's Day is May 8th this year. And yes, that's only about two weeks away. I knew I would be making something for my momma this year since, well, that's what I do. Word of advice, mom's always love homemade :-)

While I was shopping at Target today, I had to wander past the photo albums and scrap book section just to get ideas and see if anything was on sale. Well I came across this (sorry for the photo quality, I only had my phone with me) and instantly thought, I can totally make that!

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So I did!

[1] Start by cutting three rectangles out of card stock. They hang over a 4 x 6 picture just slightly. My final measurements were 5 x 7 (around the outer edges) with a width of 3/4 in.

[2] Cut three solid pieces of tough card board measuring 5 x 7 also. I used an old shoe box.

[3] After picking out what scrap book paper you want to use, cut three 6 x 8 inch rectangles. I wanted mine to hang over on the front a total of 1/2 inch on both sides (this will make more sense in step 8) so I cut out 1/2in squares from each corner. If you want it to hang over more just add the amount to each side.

[4] Fold up the sides, almost like you're making a really shallow box. Make sure to really press down on the fold, I used the end of a ruler to make the edge crisp.

[5] Place the two other pieces you've cut out before inside your little box. Hot glue the card board piece (red color) to the scrapbook paper itself.

[6] Carefully folder over the scrapbook flaps and glue them to the card stock (white color).

[7] With an X-acto knife or razor blade carefully cut out an opening on one of the short sides so you can insert your picture later. This step is a little tricky, just be careful not to stick in the blade too deep. You only want the opening to be the size of your picture (4 inches), not the whole length of the side.

[8] I glued strips of a coordinating color paper to add a little dimension to the frame. This is why I only had to overlap 3/4 in (from step 3) because the green paper would cover the white edge. I covered the front with a thin layer of modge podge to make sure the edges were sealed and to give it a slightly glossy look. I also added a few rosettes to one of the frame to make it more "spring-y".

[9] Glue ribbon down the backs and separate the three however far you like. Form a simple loop at the top to hang it from and cut the ribbons so you don't see them on the bottom frame. I added a little message to my mom on the bottom frame so we'd be able to remember what this was for.

[10] Print a few pictures (of you, your siblings, your family, your mom) and you're finished! Mine will be going in the mail sometime soon. It's a perfect gift that can be hung easily because it's so light.

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Don't want to make one? You're in luck!

I will be adding these frames to my Blog Sale so go check it out!