There Goes My Life...

It’s a Party in the USA!

At least it was last Wednesday night in Nashville! The big day finally arrived that we had been waiting for since June! No one can say that I’m not good at keeping secrets! I bought tickets to the Miley Cyrus concert as soon as they went on sale in June. I was sitting on go when they went on sale. Fast forward several months….

I had already made arrangements for Stewart to spend the night with my sister, Paula.  So Wednesday afternoon I packed his bag and the girls and I took him over to her house.  They really didn’t even question it. I just told them that he was spending the night with Aunt Paula as a treat and was going to help her cook for Thanksgiving. On the way back home Molly started asking if they could paint then we got home… if they could play with playdough. Chris was there when we got back home ans Molyl and I went upstairs.  He was already filling the suitcase on our bed and she asked where we were going.  I told her that Chris and I were going somewhere for our anniversary and did she think she and Elizabeth would be ok by themselves overnight.  Of course she didn’t believe that for a minute! Then I told her that we were all going on a little overnight trip and were going to stay in a hotel.  She started bouncing off the walls.  I never would have thought staying in a hotel overnight would be such a big deal! They were both so, so excited.

We headed to Nashville.  It’s about a 1.5 hour drive to downtown.  Of course the closer we got to the concert the worse the traffic got and we found ourselves sitting in front the the Sommet Center. I saw the sign flash to Miley Cyrus in Concert – November 25 and was just hoping that neither of the girls would notice.  Elizabeth did just as it changed.

She said: Hey – That said Miley Cyrus in concert November something.  I think November 27th!

I said: Really?  Maybe we can come back for our anniversary.

As we slowly circled the block to turn into our hotel and saw throngs of little girls and heard the Miley music blaring from the DJ on site she figured out that the concert was actually that night.

She said: I guess it’s too late to get tickets now.

I said: I’m sure it is.

We checked into the hotel, and made our way to our room.  I told them to stay in the living area while I went in the bedroom and laid out their concert outfits I had secretly ordered and packed for them.  Then we had them come into the bedroom and they were like CooL! I asked didn’t they think they would be perfect to wear to a concert?! A Miley Cyrus concert?!

Talk about two excited little girls!  We quickly did up there hair and put on their concert duds. 

Chris later told me that after we got to our seats and were waiting for the show to start Elizabeth was so excited that she was almost shaking.  He said he asked her something and she could barely talk (I was seated on the far end next to Molly). 

Halfway through the concert they even showed a trailer of her new movie that we watched being filmed when we were on vacation this summer. We even saw the clip that we watched them film over and over one day. It was of her walking by a volleyball match and getting knocked down by one of the players. It was really neat to see it on the screen because we had watched everything going on around them on the set while it was filmed.

The girls both had a great time.  I have video of them dancing and singing along with Party in the USA.  As far as concerts go it was pretty good.  The opening act (Miley’s older brother) was horrible. She really needs to dump him and get someone else. Not appropriate for the audience.  Miley was good. It is obvious that she is trying to breakout of the Hannah Montana mold. I wasn’t expecting a Hannah Montana concert, but it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting.  Some of her costumes were too revealing for both her age and the age of most of her audience.The effects were great and it was a neat show. She is definitely growing up.  I just hope she doesn’t grow up too fast.  She has a great fan base and doesn’t need to forget them.  With all that said, we had a great time and I know the girls loved it. It was fun to get to share with them their first “real” concert.  And the surprise part… that is one of the things I LOVE about being a parent.  I will always remember this night and their excitement. :-)

Living a fairytale.

Some have said that Chris and I live a fairytale. Not exactly, but it may be as close as there is in real life. Friday marked our 16th wedding anniversary.  That seems impossible.  Impossible that we have been married that many years, but it also seems like we have always been together. Earlier in the week he sent me a text message that read – Pack a bag for Saturday night! He knows that I LOVE surprises and this is not the first time he has planned a secret getaway for me.  What can I say? I married a romantic?

Friday night when he got home from work I was busy getting Stewart ready.  We had decided earlier in the day to go out to eat with the kids at a local restaurant to celebrate since our real anniversary dinner together would be the next night.  I noticed that Elizabeth was holding a folded piece of paper in her hand, and she and Molly were all grins. After getting Stewart out of the tub and dried off, we all piled onto our bed, and Chris had Elizabeth read to me my fairytale.

“Once upon a time in a not so distant land lived a beautiful fair Maiden and a rather average shy young Prince…”

Honestly, I started to share the entire story here, but it feels much too personal for that. I will admit that by the end I was a total mess.  I had to completely re-do my makeup before we could leave.  It is the most precious gift Chris has ever given me and to have our oldest reading the story of our life together.  About our courtship. About us making a home together. About us praying for a child. About the love we share…. It was just too much. I will share the last paragraph because that is how he told me the details of our anniversary getaway.

“So let it be proclaimed: 16 years and one day later, the beautiful fair Maiden turned beautiful fair Queen and the average shy Prince turned average shy King will once again celebrate their undying love and their perfectly completed kingdom. They will travel to the City of Hunts for a night of celebration.  They will dine in the tavern called Conner’s and then they will watch the stars by the light of the New Moon.  Finally they will retire at the West Inn for a much deserved night of rest.  And then they will return to their Kingdom and their life for it is perfect… for them.

He had every detail planned.  We dropped the kids off his parents house and drove to Huntsville.  We checked into the hotel and even had a little time to do a little shopping before dinner.  He indulged me and I only went to my favorite store since I still had a gift card from my birthday. Then an amazing dinner at Conner’s and we were finished just in time for the movie. He had even made reservations for us in the VIP section.  Like I said – every detail. I thought the movie was good.  Of course it wasn’t as good as the book (the movie never is), but I thought they did a really good job of sticking to the storyline.  I hate when the movie is totally different. The lady seated beside me was so funny.  She obviously had not read the book and just about jumped out her seat when the guys transformed into wolves. She had no idea what was about to happen. Hilarious! We slept in.  Such a luxury.  I am thinking of investing in some blackout shades for our bedroom now! We missed our complimentary breakfast, but had lunch before we drove back home to pickup the kids.

I think Chris’ story ended  it best, so I’ll just quote him here.

And they will continue to live, and love happily ever after.”

Sweet 16.

Sixteen years ago today I married my the love of my life.  He is also my best friend. That might sound corny to say, but in our case it is so true. Sixteen years, nine pets, nine vehicles, three kids and two houses later we are more in love than ever before. I never could have imagined it would be this wonderful. 

We have been accused of living a fairytale. It may not be a fairytale, but it is pretty wonderful for reality. Happy anniversary, Sweetheart! I love you!

One Little Indian Girl.

Today is the Thanksgiving Feast at the girls’ school. Molly’s class could dress up as Pilgrims and Indians today.  Her class has been learning about Native Americans this week, so that is how she dressed. We ran outside in the fog for a quick photo opt before she left for school this morning.

My how she has grown.  You might remember her top from back when it was a dress! I did have to make her a new head-dress last night. And those are turkey feathers from the turkey she harvested this spring.

This week a “Real Live Indian” (Molly’s words not mine) came to speak to her class. She has talked non-stop about John Thunder. He had a real Talking Stick that belong to his grandfather, and Molly’s class all made their own talking sticks. She has been enforcing the talking stick rules in the car. ;-) They also made quivers. Elizabeth also made one when she was in first grade and it is probably my favorite school craft ever.

Chris, Stewart and I are going to school for their feast today.  The girls are so excited. Then they will be out for all of next week.  I have a lot of work to do, but we also have a fun surprise planned for the girls. I cannot wait!

What I wouldn’t give.

What I wouldn’t give for a photo like this of my daddy and me.

I came across it while I was editing the photos from the shoot  I had with my dear friends Tim and Shannon a couple weeks ago. We were near the end of the session, and Tim started pushing Emma on the tire swing. I had forgotten about these shots until just now. They made me think about my dad. 

Maybe it’s because today would have been my parents’ wedding anniversary, and he has been on my mind a lot today. I think about him a lot this time of year.  I guess it starts with their anniversary in November and then continues with his birthday in December just to be followed by Christmas.  It has been 17 years since since his passing. I’ve spent almost as many years on this earth without him as I did with him.

I think about him a lot.

I miss him a lot.

But in these years without him I have learned to take the moments like this one right now and smile through the tears.  I smile because I had moments like the one shared here between Emma and her dad even if I don’t have the photo.

Crisp Fall Day.

Stop what you are doing right now and go download Gina’s new kit Crisp Fall Day.  I mean it.  This is the most beautiful kit I have ever seen (and I have seen a lot of them). I just downloaded it and even though I was in the middle of editing photos, I had to put together a page. Seriously, this page took all of 10 minutes (maybe even less).

I didn’t even have any fall pictures of our family (this one is from Easter), but I had to put together a page. Note to self: Get some pics of the kids playing in the leaves.

Today and tomorrow it is on sale for $1.99.  Seriously?! You are not going to believe how much stuff is in it.  The papers alone are stunning. So what are you waiting for?! Quit reading this and go get it! Now!

Happy DSD!

Happy Digital Scrapbook Day!!!  I know I am a wee bit early, but I won’t be around tomorrow between Christmas card mini-sessions and soccer tournament. I wanted to do a little enabling though! :-)

Make sure you pick up Jen’s new sketch set.  These have got to be some of her best ever (I know – she’s never made a bad sketch).  Both of these layouts use sketches in her newest set.

Shop this weekend for 40% off Jen’s entire shop!

And I have been keeping a secret for a few days that is fitting for me to reveal in honor of DSD.  I am so excited to have been chosen to be on the Guest Creative Team at Digital Design Essentials. Gina is one of the first names in digital scrapbook designs, and I am so honored to now be a part of her team.  Just giddy in fact! Here’s a layout I did with one of her newest kits Frightfully Fun.

Make sure you stock up at Gina’s sale this weekend, too.  Her kits work great with Jen’s sketches! ;-)

Opening night.

Last night was opening night for he Carriage House Players Christmas Production.  It was also Stewart’s acting debut! Of course I took along my camera last night and took a few shots backstage. Just wish I would have remembered by difuser..

After being a part of CHP’s summer production, I so wanted to be a part of the Christmas production.  Unfortunately, there just weren’t enough hours in the week for me to work it out.  However, Stewart’s girlfriend, Mrs. Carla is the director and she asked him to be an extra. He LOVES Mrs. Carla.

She is also filling in as an extra in the play, and is on stage with him the entire time. (Thank goodness!)

If is a very funny show, and Stewart is one of the most vocal extras to ever hit the stage! LOL!

Here he is with a couple stars of the show.

He was so cute last night after the show in line with the rest of the cast thanking everyone for coming to the show. With my little guy’s imagination I can definitely see more productions in his future. :-)

The maiden, the dragon and the knight.

Once upon a time in a not so distant land there lived a maiden and her little dragon.

The maiden loved her dragon very much.  They were constant companions and spent many days together. They shared many adventures.  They traveled to the seller of animals for the home, the loaner of books and the market.  They had tea parties and fought evil with their super powers.

The maiden had given her heart to a kind and brave knight many years before.

The knight loved the maiden and together they built a home.  The knight provided for his maiden and dragon.  He was their protector and they were his haven from the outside world.

Together they lived happily ever after.

The End.

Lady Liberty.

If you know Elizabeth you know that she is one of a kind. That’s why it didn’t surprise me that she wanted to be the Statue of Liberty for Halloween. The girls usually pick a costume that they can also use for the Storybook Parade at school (this was Elizabeth’s last year – Mom’s a little sad about that). She and Molly were looking pouring over this catalog when she saw it.

Since I always make the kids Halloween costumes, I was happy with the choice. I already had a pattern I could use and knew it would be pretty easy to put together. I found the fabrics at Wal-mart. You can’t really tell from the photo, but the texture of the fabric is perfect for this costume. I sewed the dress and then just draped the sequin fabric over her shoulder and pinned it. I found the torch online and Chris spray painted an old pair of sandals.

The crown was a little tricky. I couldn’t find what I was looking for online, but I also couldn’t figure out how i wanted to make it. I was in the craft department at Wal-mart when inspiration struck.  I found a craft foam visor and flipped it upside down.  Then I cut the points from a sheet of foam.  They are 1.5 inches at the base and 8 inches long. Wal-mart didn’t have either in gray, so I bought black and Chris spray painted them the same gray as her sandals. After the paint dried, I brushed on the Mod Podge and covered it in silver glitter. I think this would be a great 4th of July activity!

Drum roll please……

(layout credits here)

She was very excited with how it turned out. She wore it last night to Trunk or Treat/Fall Festival at church and this morning in the Storybook Parade at school. A big smile the entire time. That makes her mom smile. :-)

And I think these will make her friends at school smile tomorrow when they are attached to a treat. 

I’m printing mine now. It’s not to late to print yours. :-)