Happy Father's Day!

Just wanted to take a minute and give a shout out to all the amazing Dads that are in my life!
Happy Father's Day! Love you guys! 

We're Still Here!

I promise we are still around! I actually have a couple of posts in the works for you guys. 

I think I am coming out of the slump! I am feeling better mentally and although it's really cold and rainy outside at the moment, spring is on the horizon  At any rate there is more sunshine now that the time has changed and I can see a difference in my mood. I'm entering my busy season as we plan for the annual BirthMom Buds retreat. 

It's spring break this week. We are surviving. Noah's had some meltdowns and really rough moments but there have been some good moments too. Noah has some big things coming up: baseball, JOY prom, and Special Olympics. 

For now, I thought I'd leave you with a collage I made of Noah and Granddaddy dyeing eggs on the Saturday before Easter. 

My Mom's 60th Birthday Party

I finally have pictures from my Mom's birthday party edited! I wanted her party to be elegant and simple and chose the color scheme of lavender and purple based on her favorite color with hints of silver thrown in. She loves butterflies so I decided to implement those in the decor as well.

I must forewarn you that the lighting in the room where the party was held and the fact that the walls were yellow tinted did not make the most conducive atmosphere for photos, but they are decent. (Click on any of the pictures below to see them larger.)

The invitation set the tone......

I must admit initially that decorating was challenging because the church had many rules like no balloons, no candles, no confetti, nothing on walls, etc. So most of the decor went into the actual centerpieces.

The centerpieces were white vases filled with branches. Dangling from the branches were purple and lavender butterflies that I cut out with my Silhouette machine and then dry embossed them with a pretty swirly pattern. The vases sat on silver cake plates and two photos of my Mom over the years were on each table. There were also two wine glass lamps on each table with vellum shades with battery operated candles inside. We swirled some purple tulle in there to bring in a little more color. 

On the food table, I needed to add some decor without taking up very much room. So I bought two purple potted plants and covered them with some pretty fabric. Then I painted two dowels white and stuck them inside the plants. I tied white twine to the dowels and then clipped on photos of my Mom with friends and family on the "clothesline" using clothespins. I don't know why but that was probably my favorite part of the decorations. 

For munching, we had a variety of finger foods including a meat and cheese tray, small sandwiches, a cheese ball and crackers, a popcorn chicken tray, and more. We had a pretty purple punch (and bottled water) for drinking - I shared the recipe for the punch earlier this week. And the best part was the chocolate fountain with strawberries, raspberries, pineapples, marshmallows, and pound cake for dipping! 

Next up was the butterfly wish tree. It sat on a table that guests saw right as they walked in. My BFF made the actual "tree" out of branches in a large hurricane. We hung a little sign that asked guests to write a birthday wish for my Mom on a butterfly that was sitting on the table that I had cut out with my Silhouette machine. Thread was attached to each butterfly so they could hang it on the tree once they were done signing it. 

The cake was made by a friend and was absolutely gorgeous - and delicious! 

My Mom's favorite charity is Operation Christmas Child. She is a very dedicated year round volunteer and makes about 100 shoe boxes each year! So in lieu of gifts, we asked people to bring items for the shoe boxes and included an insert with the invitation that had a list of suggested items. I thought it would be cute to use my vintage suitcase as a place to put some of the items. The inside of the suitcase was actually blue but  my BFF and I took some of the left over fabric from wrapping the flower pots and pinned it inside suitcase. People ended up bringing so much stuff that it spilled out of the suitcase and all over the table! 

My Mom has always thought personalized M&Ms were neat so my Dad and I decided to splurge (they are pretty pricey!) and get some for the party. I used the baby picture of her from the invitation on the M&Ms as well. They turned out so cute but I just couldn't bear to eat the "baby Anne" M&Ms. 

For "entertainment" I made "things Anne loves" word searches using an online program and we had them along with pens sitting out for guests to complete if they wanted to. I think they all got a kick out of it! 

Lastly, for favors I went small and easy since we needed so many. I wrapped candy bars in different purple and lavender patterned papers and attached a tag that said, "You're so sweet for coming to Anne's party" with ribbon. Simple and cute. 

Whew! That's it! Makes me tired again just typing it all up. It was a great party if I do say so myself and I really think my Mom enjoyed herself. I was thrilled to be able to throw a party for my Mom as a way of saying thanks for all the great birthday parties she threw for my brother and I when we were young. 

PS. Let me give a big shout out to all those who helped make the party a big success - Daddy, Aunt Donna, the BFF, Brother & K! 

Planning my Mom's Party

In September, my Mom will turn 60! In honor of this momentous occasion, we are throwing her a big 60th birthday bash. Don't worry, she knows about the party, so I'm not ruining any surprises since she does read my blog (hi Momma Bear!) but what she doesn't know about is the decor so I can't tell you about that yet!

Growing up my Mom always threw these really great birthday parties for my brother and I. Now, they weren't the huge crazy parties you see on TV with castle shaped bouncy houses and petting zoos. They were even better though because they were planned with lots of love and DIY details by my Momma. I can remember cute place settings at tables, games outside, fun favors, and awesome handmade cakes. My Momma's cakes are one of my fondest childhood memories. She could come up with anything for the themes we asked for.

So, now, throwing this party for my Mom is so special to me. I'm putting lots of heart into it because it's my little way of saying thank you for years of fun parties and memories to accompany them.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there but most especially to the two most important Dads in my life, my own Dad and Noah's Daddy. We're lucky to have you!

Mother's Day Collage

First of all, happy Mother's Day to all the Mommas out there and for those of you out there that this is a hard day for, your in my thoughts. 

This year for one of my Mom's Mother's Day gifts we decided to combine our talents - mine of photography and his of being cute! 

For years I have always wanted to make one of those little photo collages of siblings each holding different signs that make a sentence like "I love Nana" but I just have Noah and thought that might be silly to have him in all the photos but decided to go for it anyways. Since he signs, instead of having him hold a sign that said love, I just had him do the sign for love. It actually turned out super cute! 

And here it is already hanging on her wall.......

Tip: If you are taking photos of a child holding a sign, sometimes it can be difficult to get them to hold the sign where the words are legible and readable so this time I just had Noah hold a blank sign, then in my editing program, I added the words in a handwriting font. I must have done a good job because my Mom had no clue! 

I like how my Mom's turned out so much that I have decided to make one of my own. 

Just need a frame now! 

(Linking to the parties listed in my sidebar)

Easter 2012 Collage

I'm a little behind on photo editing at the moment but I did some of the Easter photos edited and threw together a little collage to share. 

Can I just tell you how hard it is to get a photo where all three of us have our eyes open, are smiling, and look decent? Oh my goodness! In half the pictures J and Noah have a "ENOUGH PICTURES" look! Ah, I suppose that look will be a fond memory one day. 

Grandma's Dressing

Every year at Thanksgiving and Christmas, I am the person responsible for making the dressing (we don’t call it stuffing because it doesn’t go IN the turkey) in my immediate family. I use my Grandmother’s (my Dad’s Mom) recipe although it wasn’t ever really a “recipe.” It was more add some of this, add a bit of that, and a little of this, and a taste of this. But I have perfected it in my own way over the years.

I’ve never seen or tasted another dressing quite like this one. It has rice in it along with the cornbread which I think makes it totally unique.

To be quite honest, it’s a pain in the bootay to make! You have to cook the rice, cook the corn bread, boil eggs, boil celery and onions, etc. etc. It freezes beautifully so at Thanksgiving I always make a double batch, and then just freeze a portion of it for Christmas dinner. It just wouldn’t be the holidays without this dressing!

I’m sure there are short cuts I could take or perhaps a simpler recipe I could try but I’m not going to mess with something so good plus since it is a family recipe it has more meaning to me.

My Mom always makes her Mom’s sweet potato casserole so with that and the dressing on the table, we have a little piece of past generations with us each year at the dinner table.

Do you have a family recipe you that it just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without making it?

Miracle League Fall Season

Tonight was the first game of the Miracle League Fall 2011 Season! Noah was SO excited. He usually takes a nap on game days but he was too excited to take one today.

Over the summer, when Noah was watching major league baseball games on TV he became fascinated with their hats and would sign hat. The first season or two, Noah played Miracle League he had a hat but he would never wear it so I stopped ordering it but this year I decided to order it thinking he might wear it since he had seen the baseball players on TV wearing hats and I'm pleased to say that he kept his hat on (almost) the entire game! 

He and Granddad had a great time as always! I always feel so torn over whether or not to shoot still photos or video. I have one camera that does decent videos and another camera I shoot still shots with so I always bring both. And this time I tried shooting with both at the same time and as suspected the result wasn't the greatest, but it was very interesting to give it a try. 

I do have a couple of pics to share with you and a short video of both times Noah and Granddad batted!

Before the first game of every season, I take Noah's picture in front of this wall at Miracle Park. 

Same shot but with angel choir boy pose. 

First time batting during the game

On deck

Batting the second time during the game - first time

ever without a tee! 

Crossing over home plate

And the video - I apologize in advance for the more than usual shakiness. Remember a camera in each hand does not make for a steady video! 

Happy Birthday to my Momma!

Today is my Mom's birthday. I celebrated with her twice today - once at lunch with just us adults and then again tonight with Noah - both times with homemade cupcakes. 

Happy Birthday Momma Bear! 

Birthdays Galore

This weekend we traveled to Summerville, SC, where my brother, Andy, lives. He recently bought a house so we went to see his new house and to celebrate birthdays - several birthdays!

Andy's birthday was July 27th so we celebrated his birthday with a yummy caramel pie. 

Andy's puppy Hansel turned 2 on July 16th and our puppy Paisley and my parent's puppy, Blitz, both turn 2 today so per tradition we celebrated their birthdays together and Andy made them a doggie friendly cake complete with yogurt "frosting" and crumbled bacon "sprinkles." 

Here's a few pics of the birthday festivities!

Andy's 32nd birthday

My parent's dog, Blitz

Andy's pup Hansel

Saved the best for last 

Our sweet pup, Paisley

Cancer T-Shirt

A couple of months ago my Aunt Fribbie was diagnosed with breast cancer and she is having surgery today. My parents have traveled to Mississippi to be with her for the surgery. Last week my Mom called me and told me that she wanted to make a gift basket for my Aunt (my Mom is the queen of gift baskets and makes me awesome overflowing ones for just about every gift giving occasion) and asked me if I would freezer paper stencil something on a t-shirt for my Aunt for the basket. 

I had been wanting to do something for my Aunt anyways but was at a loss as to what to do so my Mom's suggestion was perfect. My Mom had an idea of a saying that I could put on the shirt but it was pretty long, so I turned to my dear friend Google search and found an awesome and inspiring cancer quote. 

"Cancer is a word, not a sentence." - John Diamond

Awesome, isn't it! 

And here's the finished shirt. 

So, I cut the quote onto freezer paper with my trusty Silhouette machine, ironed the it down, and painted it a dark pink. I purchased the awareness ribbon shape from the Silhouette store and then cut two of them out of freezer paper, ironed them down, and painted it in a lighter shade of pink. 


I hope my Aunt likes it. I love how it turned out and it looks super comfy for laying around the house and recovering!


Also, if you pray, please say a quick prayer for her! 

Linking up to the parties listed in my sidebar

Best Granddad in the World T-Shirt

My parents will be out of town on Father's Day so we celebrated Father's Day with my Dad today so I'm able to share part of his gift since he has already received it. 

I made my Mom a t-shirt for Mother's Day using one of my favorite crafting techniques, freezer paper stenciling, so it seemed only fitting to make my Dad a shirt as well. I freezer paper stenciled "Best Granddad in the World" on a plain white t-shirt. I cut the words out of freezer paper with my Silhouette machine. I substituted a globe for the "O" in world. I actually used an Earth Day globe from the Silhouette store because I wanted something a smidge abstract and not so technical as the other globes they had. (For a freezer paper stenciling tutorial, check out this post.)

It turned out pretty cute, don't ya think? My Dad doesn't really wear t-shirts a whole lot but he does wear them when he goes for morning/evening walks so I think this will be nice for him to wear then! 

 Linking up to the parties listed in my sidebar

Mother's Day

Years ago, I don't think I ever realized that Mother's Day, while it brings happiness to many women, it also brings pain for a lot of women. It brings pain for those who are unable to have children of their own, those who have had a child and placed him or her for adoption, and for those who have lost a child or children. It brings pain to those that didn't have involved Mothers or those who's Mothers have passed away. My thoughts and prayers are with those of you who may be struggling with today. 

Luckily, I was blessed to have a great Mom who doesn't live too far away so on Mother's Day, I celebrate her and spend time with her.

Happy Mother's Day Momma! 

Pineapple Bliss Cupcakes I made for dessert today. 

Recipe Here and Free Printable Cupcake Toppers Here (Bookmark for next year!)

Wordless Wednesday: Easter Morning

Noah wasn't really in the mood for pictures Easter morning but I took some anyways. 

Of course he is smiling in the pic with Granddad and Uncle Andy!

You'll notice that J isn't in any of these. He was having some problems with his shoulder and back and wasn't feeling well.

Linking to Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs

and Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Moms

Families are Forever Canvas

Back in December, Canvas People was running a promotion where you could get a free canvas print. (You only had to pay shipping.) In November, my BFF took a decent family photo of J, Noah, and I in my "studio" when she was here visiting. (Not that her photography skills aren't great but getting a decent picture of all 3 of us at one time seems to be a challenge.) I knew I wanted to put it on a canvas once I edited and enhanced the photo but it needed something more. A long time ago, I came across a random poem about families and fell in love with the poem and saved it in my files. That poem came to memory and I played around and came up with the idea of putting the poem around the picture. Because we used a black backdrop for the photo, it worked perfectly. I ordered the canvas and have been waiting for it to arrive......


J checked the mail earlier today and came in with a large box and I immediately knew my canvas had arrived! I'm in LOVE! It turned out better than I imagined it would. Honestly, I wish I had ordered it bigger.

And in case you can't see it too well, here's the jpeg: 

Now, where to hang it?

Happy Birthday to my Daddy!

Happy Birthday Dad!

We love you!

PS. Go Dogs!

Happy Birthday Momma Bear!

Happy Birthday to my Momma!
(posing yesterday with Grandpup Hansel)

Happy Birthday Andy!

Happy Birthday to my brother, Andy. He turns 31 today. 

(And his puppy Hansel turned 1 on July 16th!) 

Wordless Wednesday: Blood Brothers

We prefer to use "directed donations" of blood whenever possible so before Noah's surgery J and my brother, Andy, donated a unit of blood in case Noah needed it during his surgery and recovery. He did end up needing both units. My brother now says that he and Noah are "blood brothers" and has mentioned numerous times how great Noah is now that he has his blood running through his veins. 

For more Wordless Wednesday check out 5 Minutes for Moms, Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs, and Wordless Wednesday Headquarters.